A 28-man national rugby squad has been selected for the end of the year tour to Europe, while Namibia’;s on-off match against Kenya could be back on again.
In a press release issued on Monday, Namibia Rugby Limited said that they will still try and play Kenya in Nairobi on 21 October, after having previously announced that the match was cancelled because it was too close to the team’;s departure to Europe.
“A recent request has come through from by World Rugby and the possibility of this match taking place in Nairobi is in current discussion and confirmation thereof will be communicated soonest. The importance of this match is again to ensure that the national team is in top form for the upcoming tour,” it said.
Regarding the 28-man squad, which was selected by head coach Phil Davies, it said that the aim was to expose Namibia’;s young players to test match rugby along, while continuing to build depth and experience in key positions.
As such, the squad includes numerous youngsters with 12 players still under 25, although there is still a lot of experience, with 11 members having played at the 2015 World Cup.
The youngsters include two national u20 players in fullback Chad Plato and prop forward Andre Rademeyer, while scrum half Wihan von Wiellich, fly halves PW Steenkamp and Cliven Loubser, hooker Obert Nortje and prop Nelius Theron, all played for Namibia u20 last year.
Other players who are still under 24 years of age include flanker Max Katjijeko, scrum half Damian Stevens, centre Justin Newman and wing Janry du Toit.
Loose forward Renaldo Bothma, who captained Namibia in the Gold Cup last year, makes a welcome return to the national side after missing most of the year due to injuries, while players with World Cup experience include Casper Viviers, Tjiuee Uanivi, Rohan Kitshoff, Johan Deysel, Darryl de la Harpe, Johann Tromp and Chrysander Botha.
National coach Davies said he was happy with the squad selected.
“We have selected the best available squad to tour – we have been exposing combinations over the past three and a half years and I’;m more than happy that they are in a good place,” he said.
“The absence of the Currie Cup has definitely hampered our preparations for this tour, which is a great shame,” he added.
Several players were unavailable for various reasons including exams, injuries or personal reasons like Eugene Jantjies, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Aranos Coetzee, Janco Venter, Lesley Klim, Wian Conradie, Louis van der Westhuizen and PJ van Lill.
Namibia will play Russia in Sochi on 10 November, Spain in Madrid on 17 November and Portugal in Lisbon on 24 November, and besides national pride, world ranking points will also be on the line.
Russia is currently ranked 19th in the world, Spain 20th and Portugal 24th, while Namibia is ranked 22nd, with the result that victories against Russia or Portugal could see them climb up the rankings.
The Namibian squad is as follows:
Props: Andre Rademeyer, Casper Viviers, Desiderius Sethie, Nelius Theron and A J De Klerk.
Hookers: Obert Nortje and Niël Van VuurenLocks: Tjiuee Uanivi, Ruan Ludick and Mahepisa TjerikoBack Row: Thomasau Forbes, Max Katjijeko, Renaldo Bothma, Adriaan Booysen and Rohan Kitshoff.Scrum halves: Damian Stevens and Wihan von WiellighFly halves: Cliven Loubser and PW SteenkampCentres: Johan Deysel, Darryl de la Harpe and J C GreylingBack three: Janry du Toit, Johann Tromp, Chrysander Botha, Chad Plato, TC Kisting and Justin Newman.
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!
