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Paul Munyuki : Sports Reporter

THE last time the Sables were in Windhoek, they suffered an historic 80-6 thumping at the hands of hosts Namibia and exactly a year on the Zimbabwe rugby side are back in the lion’s den. Zimbabwe have lost both their opening games in the Africa Cup to Kenya and Uganda at home and have been relegated to the less prestigious Group 1B, their final game against Namibia coming as a dead rubber this time around.Coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge has put faith in junior players, and only three players from last year’s starting XV made it for the trip to Namibia as Zimbabwe prepare for life in Group 1B next year.

Only captain Denford Mutamangira, lock Biselele Tshamala and flyhalf Lenience Tambwera – who scored Zimbabwe’s six points in last year’s encounter – have been retained in the starting XV while prop Brian Makamure, scrummy Charles Jiji and Stephan Hunduza, who were on the bench, made the trip.

Five new players, including Young Sables Under-20 star Connor Pritchard and George Saungweme, are in the squad.

“I would not say we are throwing them in the deep-end. We need this if Zimbabwe’s rugby is to come back to its status as a powerhouse,” said Mutamangira.