Bulls to test Welwitschias mettle

“A strong” Vodacom Blue Bulls side will tour Namibia in August to give the Welwitschias a thorough workout ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The Bulls will spend a week in Namibia engaging in off-the field activities, culminating in a clash at Hage Geingob Stadium on 26 August.

“We’re really excited about the 26th. It’s the first step in the process in preparing for the world cup. We have the [World Rugby] Nations Cup coming up before that and we’ll also have some training camps in-country with all the players,” said Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) president Petrie Theron.

Namibia will be making a seventh appearance at the global rugby spectacle in France from 8 September to 28 October.

They are grouped alongside New Zealand, France, Italy and Uruguay in pool A.

Aiming to record a first ever victory at the competition, the Welwitschias’ preparations are geared towards realising that objective, Theron said.

He remains steadfast about moving the NRU towards a professionally run entity to ensure that the players get the required support to elevate their game.

“For too long we’ve been talking about taking rugby professional. You can only get it professional if you start thinking like a professional and that’s what we’re starting to do. We have a plan in place to take rugby further in this country,” Theron said at a press conference in Windhoek yesterday to announce the Bulls tour to Namibia.

“Although rugby has had its fights in the boardrooms, I’m here to give the nation the undertaking that we’re working together to take this to the next level, because there’s a vision, willpower and skills to do that. But we can’t do this alone, and because of that we’re looking at close relationships we’ve had over the years.

“We’ve qualified for our seventh world cup participation, but we’re also looking at [the world cup in] 2027. Qualifying for 2027 and expanding the footprint of the game in Namibia starts now. And that’s where we are fortunate to have people that support us, like the Bulls,” he said.

Before hosting the Bulls, Namibia will face Argentina A, Uruguay and Chile at the IRB Nations Cup in the a tune up tournament for the world cup.

“Both Uruguay and Chile have also qualified for the world cup, so it’s going to be a tough competition. But, it will give us an opportunity to sharpen the blades. We want to be as strong as we can and we only do that when rugby minds work together,” said Theron.

The Bulls squad will not feature any of their Springboks as they too will be on national duty. Nonetheless, a formidable side is still expected to take to the field.

“If you are Namibian, come and support us. Because we are you. On the 26th is the last time you’ll see the team before they go to the world cup on home soil. We want you to be part of this journey. We want to make history at this world cup and that is what our plan is which we’ve been planning for a long time,” Theron said.

“And, that is why we’re so glad that a team like the Bulls have come to our aid and said ‘we’ll give you some tough competition going into the world cup’.”

For the Bulls, the encounter forms part of their pre-season schedule and a chance to test new recruits against their hosts and promote their brand.

Bulls president Willem Strauss said assisting in growing the game in Namibia was a privilege for his renowned club.

“We need another large rugby nation in Africa and at this stage its Namibia. We hope it continues in that vein,” Strauss said.

“If we can contribute to Namibia performing at the Rugby World Cup, that will be massive so from our side, good luck. I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen in Namibian rugby,” he noted.

“Where we’re from, we always look for ways to grow the game, and that is definitely our passion as management of the Blue Bulls. We’ve always had a strong relationship with Namibia. We’re really looking forward to this opportunity. From our side, it’s a great exercise for us,” said Strauss.