HARARE - Zimbabwe Under-19 rugby coach Brighton Chivandire has made tactical changes to his forwards pack in anticipation of a physical approach from Namibia in today’s title-deciding Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Youth Championship.

Reece Surtees returns to hooker while Lazarus Chisaya, who played in the middle of the front row in the 42-0 demolition of Tunisia on Wednesday, moves back to his preferred open-side flank position.

Surtees missed Wednesday’s game against Tunisia due to chest complications. His return will bring
stability to Zimbabwe’s line-outs, where the hosts struggled to find their jumpers a multiple of times as they played the whole match without a natural hooker.

Loose-head prop Kudakwashe Makuvire and tight-head Thabani Ndaba completes the front row as Chivandire attempts to strengthen that department, which struggled during scrums and lost a lot of tight-head balls against the North Africans.

Former St Johns College flank Daniel Rorke has been relegated to the wood.

His place has been taken by Chisaya. Eighthman Tapiwa Tsomondo and flank Alva Senderayi complete the Young Sables’ loose trio.

Namibia, who have a much heavier pack, are capable of spoiling Zimbabwe’s party with their good forward play.

Their forwards will be looking to bully the Young Sables at the breakdown if they try to take them on physically.

Chivandire, meanwhile, has kept faith in the backline that started against Tunisia, hoping this impressive department can replicate Wednesday’s performance this afternoon.

The Young Sables’ backline holds the key to their success; man-for-man, they can outclass their opposite numbers with pace and flair.

Zimbabwe will also be hoping their flyhalf Luke Masasire can find his mojo back with the kicking tee this afternoon.  Overall, the Zimbabweans will need an all-round performance, a cohesion of backs and forwards, if there are to lift their fourth consecutive African title.

The winner of the match qualifies for next year’s Junior World Rugby Trophy in Chile.

ZIM STARTING LINE UP

15- Tarisai Musakanda, 14- Takudzwa Kumadiro, 13- Richard Chigumba, 12- Kudzai Masawi, 11- Lance Chikodzi, 10- Luke Masasire, 9- Ian Surtees, 8- Tapiwa Tsomondo, 7- Alva Senderayi, 6- Lazarus Chisaya, 5- Munashe Gwenzi, 4- Joshua Smallbones (capt), 3- Thabani Ndaba, 2- Reece Surtees, 1- Kudakwashe Makuvire
…as Chivandire shuffles forwards packCHANGES: Kudakwashe Makuvire makes today’s starting line-up.