The upcoming MTC Regional 15s will be an exhibition of the best rugby talent in country, the Namibia Rugby Union said yesterday.
The competition kicks off on 22 February in Windhoek and marks the start of Namibia’s preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers in earnest.
The tournament will run against the backdrop of Namibia’s preparatory matches which begin on 22 February with a clash against Boland in Windhoek .
The Welwitschias will then host the Blue Bulls on 17 June at a yet to be confirmed coastal venue, before they meet again in Windhoek on 21 June.
Namibia’s recently appointed director of rugby, Jacques Burger, says the MTC Regional 15s initiative is meant to supplement their plans to qualify for an eighth consecutive Rugby World Cup.
It is designed to provide regional players with a platform to demonstrate their skills and secure opportunities to progress within the national rugby structure.
“This competition is a crucial step in Namibia’s journey toward global rugby success. The initiative aims to foster regional pride, identify emerging talent and prepare players for higher level competitions,” Burger says.
“It’s a new competition which we’re really excited about and obviously very grateful to MTC for sponsoring it and making it happen.
“It’s been something that’s been in the works for a while, to bring the regions together,” he explained.
Crucially, the tournament will afford home-based amateur players more competitive minutes on the field and help bridge the gap with their counterparts who play professionally abroad.
Until now, Namibian 15s rugby has only had the league title to compete for.
“We want to make those connections outside of just the so-called big rugby teams. To give the younger players opportunities and all the guys basically to get them some game time in preparation for the upcoming qualifiers for the African Cup in July,” Burger explained.
PLAYING FORMAT
The competition structure will see teams divided into four regions. There will be two Khomas/central region teams, one coastal team, and another for Rehoboth teams accompanied by the Grootfontein team.
Kudus, Sparta and Dolphins will form the coastal side, with Wanderers and Western Suburbs combining for one of the central region teams while United and Unam will make up the other. Reho Falcons, Rehoboth and Grootfontein will comprise of the fourth regional team.
“The high performance coaching team will develop a comprehensive formula for drafting and selecting players to ensure well-balanced and competitive teams,” Burger says.
“This process will prioritise fairness and alignment with the strategic goals of the Namibia Rugby Union,” he continued.
“We’ll make sure everybody is presented well, all clubs have the appropriate number of players in each team, depending on where they finished in the 2024 season.”
The teams will play in a round-robin format, culminating in the final match on 8 March. Each squad will consist of 35 players, where 25 players will be part of the match day squad.
Namibia head coach Chrysander Botha anticipates quality rugby to be displayed between some of the leading players in the country.
“You’ll have the best players out of each and every region or club team participating as one team,” Botha said.
“So, better competition against the other bigger clubs that have been doing well the last couple of years, your Wanderers and your Unam. You’ll have an opportunity to put the best players against each other.”
A number of those are part of a 45-man national team group that has been training four times a week since late last year.
“We’ve really delved deeper into the planning aspect of getting our players and the best players to the field,” Botha said.
STAKING A CLAIM
Burger and Botha were teammates in two Rugby World Cup campaigns and are determined to ensure Namibia maintains their spot at the finals.
The Welwitschias intend to reclaim the Rugby Africa Cup when this year’s edition takes place in Uganda. The 2025 tournament will include holders Zimbabwe, Algeria, Namibia, Kenya, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, and the winner of the 2024 Men’s Rugby Africa Cup Repechage tournament in March.
“It’s commendable to see those boys putting in the work,” Burger says of the training squad.
“The ball is in their court, we can give them all the opportunities and all the tools, but they need to step up and take the opportunity.
“It is World Cup qualifying year, so there’s a massive opportunity for each and every one to step in and make that shirt their own.”
With no place guaranteed for the Africa Cup, he urged the players to show what they are about during the MTC Regional 15s and stake a claim for a World Cup spot should Namibia prevail in Uganda.
“It’s going to be extremely important to get the guys on the pitch as much as possible. So it’s great to get an extra competition in place, and get more players and coaches the opportunity to learn and bringing people together,” says Burger.
“Player-wise, everybody gets the opportunity to showcase and to show us as coaches and as the management team what they’re about,” he noted.
“They can put their foot in the door and maybe put them in a position to maybe play for Namibia. That’s what we want; we want to develop players, we want to give them opportunities to grow.”
The Regional 15s will be woven into the union’s long-term development strategy, with MTC reaffirming its unwavering support.
“We have always told ourselves that we are going to associate our brand with institutions that have good leadership, visionary leadership, accountability, integrity. That is why we see ourselves associated with the Namibia Rugby Union,” MTC’s communications practitioner Erasmus Nekundi said when reassuring the union that they intend to stand by their commitment.
“That’s because we have recognised the type of leadership that is at the helm of the union, and we are pleased to associate ourselves with them.”
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!