SABLES coach Brendan Dawson has made two changes to the team for this afternoon’s crucial 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifier against Namibia in Antananarivo, Madagascar, recalling hooker Mathew Mandioma and flanker Njabulo Ndlovu.
DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER
The match, which will take place at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, kicks off at 12pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport 9.
Dawson has kept faith with the rest of the players that started in the 57-22 win over Madagascar on Saturday, which left them just two wins away from returning to the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1991.
Mandioma has been promoted to the starting line-up to bolster the Sables’ front-row resources after coming off the bench to replace Keith Murray during the Madagascar game.
The bulky University of KwaZulu Natal hooker who will partner Denford Mutamangira and Kevin Nqindi in the front row, initially struggled with his line-out throwing on Saturday, but made up with a strong perfomance with ball in hand.
His introduction to the side is expected to reinforce the Sables front row which is expected to play a crucial role against the bigger Namibians’ pack.
Ndlovu was introduced from the bench during the Madagascar game to replace eighthman Lambert Groenewald and will start at flank today with Graeme Lawler dropping to the bench.
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