Bulls take the spoils at Vegkop

Namibia put in a competitive performance before going down 43-30 to the Blue Bulls at Windhoek High School’s Vegkop Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

It was Namibia’s final match before they leave for the Rugby World Cup in France this week, and despite ending on the losing side, they showed great commitment and fitness to compete till the final whistle. 

It was also basically a second-string side, with only three players starting the match, that started in their last Nations Cup match against Chile, and they rose to the occasion with a passionate performance. 

The Bulls opened their account after only two minutes when lock Deon Slabbert barged over, and with flyhalf Jaco van der Walt adding the conversion they went 7-0 ahead. 

Andre van der Berg opened Namibia’s account with a penalty, and the home side took the lead for the first time when centre Alcino Izaacs intercepted a pass to score under the posts. 

The Bulls were soon back in front when eighthman Mpilo Gumede was put over by scrumhalf Zak Burger, but Van der Berg reduced the deficit to 14-13 with another penalty, before Bulls left wing Stravino Jacobs touched down in the corner to give the Bulls a 19-13 halftime lead.

Centre Cornal Hendricks crashed over after a forward maul early in the second half to put the Bulls 26-13 ahead, but Namibia made a fine comeback. 

Centre Le Roux Malan went over for a try from a quick tap penalty, and when Obert Nortje touched down from a lineout maul they were just one point behind at 26-25. 

Replacement scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde went over after a fine break by Gumede, but Namibia once again fought back and when Hillian Beukes touched down in the corner after a quick backline attack, the match was still wide open with the Bulls leading 31-30. 

The Bulls, however, finished stronger, with flanker WJ Steenkamp dotting down after a fine break by Van der Linde, while replacement forward Tiaan Lange went over from a lineout maul to give the Bulls a clear victory. 

Positives from match – Coetzee

Namibia coach Allister Coetzee said there were some positives to take from the match. 

“We always want to win a game – that’s what you prepare for, but I’m pleased with the performance and the effort especially in the second half. It’s also a team that has never consistently played together, so there were some good individual performances and we needed to test the depth of our squad before going to the world cup,” he said.

“It was a quality Bulls side that put us under pressure in the scrums and the mauls, but I’m really pleased with the tries we scored, while there were a few other chances that we didn’t capitalise on,” he added.

“I think it could have been closer, but it’s mission accomplished. I wanted to give the guys game time, we needed them to be match sharp and facing good intensity from a team like the Bulls, so I’m happy,” he said. 

Coetzee added that his first choice 15 had been rested in preparation for their opening match at the world cup against Italy. 

“We’ve got 15 guys who didn’t play today and we’ve been working with them for the last two weeks to prepare for Italy. So while this team was preparing for the Bulls, our starting 15 was preparing for Italy. I’m really excited that we’ll have the opportunity with our top team to really go and have a good one against Italy.”

The Bulls’ director of rugby Jake White said it was a tough match. 

“I was very happy we’ve only been playing for about a week now and it was the first time I got to work with a couple of these guys. It’s always tough here, but I’m just happy we could help Namibia prepare for the World Cup,” he said. 

Looking ahead to the world cup, he said it was wide open.

“I think the Springboks showed on Friday night if they play well, they can beat anyone. Thats always nice to know when you go to a world cup, you need that confidence, and I’ve got no doubt after that win against the All Blacks, the Boks will be very confident.

“I think it’s one of those world cups where there will be a lot of intrigue and mystery coming in certain games, and so many sides can win it because there’s so many teams that can beat each other, so it will be interesting to see who gets out of the pool stages and then it will be easier to see who’s the form team.”

Regarding Namibia’s chances to get a first win at the world cup, White said their mental strength will be an important factor.  

“Namibia’s got a really tough pool against two of the best sides in the world in France and New Zealand, and hopefully by the time you meet Uruguay you won’t be too demoralised. But Namibia have always been fighters, and historically they’ve always been tough to beat, so hopefully this year they will get a win at the World Cup,” he said.