THE Zimbabwe U20 rugby team technical department led by head coach Shaun De Souza has made several changes to the squad for the game against Namibia as they seek to maintain their winning streak and consolidate their position on top of the table in the Barthes Trophy.
Four teams are vying for the coveted Africa Rugby Barthes Trophy, the premier junior continental rugby showpiece which offers a ticket to the U20 Rugby World Cup set for Scotland in July.
The Young Sables opened their account with a 46-21 drubbing of Tunisia on Sunday and eye similar fortunes against former champions Namibia this afternoon.
The defending champions will conclude their campaign against the fierce Kenyans who were runners-up last year.
De Souza made changes in the front row, with Glordan Sarpo coming into hooker for Louange Mutimawurukundo. The change will hopefully work for the young Sables at the breakdown and lineout. Mutimawurukundo missed his jumpers many times during the Tunisia match and Namibia will exploit such a weakness.
The biggest blow for the Junior Sables will be Gody Grant who is not in the squad due to an injury he sustained against Tunisia. Grant's link-up play between his forwards and the quick backs set up most of Zimbabwe's tries.
Co-captain Benoni Nhekairo has been moved from full back to fly-half in a tactical substitution that sees the explosive Edward Sigauke moved from outside centre to full back which allows Zimbabwe to turn defence into attack.
De Souza has accepted that his side will not out scrum Namibia who traditionally have a bigger pack and marauding forwards. But through Zimbabwe's running rugby which has been effective in the past two Barthes Trophy tournaments, their attack is centred on utility back, Edward Sigauke.
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Vuyani Ncube, who came from the bench against Tunisia, makes his first start at outside centre, while Shammah Jackson comes in for Brendon Jameson at right wing.
Co-vice captain Allan Mawunga will lead the Zimbabwe loose trio and will be handful for the Namibians as the host seek to make it three out three Barthes Trophies.
Zimbabwe squad
- Emmanuel Gabi
- Glordan Sarpo
- Takudzwa Matsvimbo
- Tawananyasha Bwanya (cc)
- Thabani Ndlovu
- Joseph Benning
- Polite Phiri
- Allan Mavunga (cvc)
- Kholwani Moyo
- Benoni Nhekairo (cc)
- Emmanuel Magutakuona
- Tanaka Mupamhadzi
- Vuyani Ncube
- Shammah Jackson
- Edward Sigauke (cvc)
Impact players
- Tatenda Runyowa
- Kudzai Tsvakirai
- Huntsmann Greaves
- Tafara Dewa
- Samuel Edwards
- Wayne Kunaka
- Tinotenda Rusike
- Kaitano Tembo
