Review – Namibian rugby at the crossroads 

Namibian rugby is at the crossroads after the Welwitschias lost the Africa Cup for the first time in 10 years while their continued participation at the Rugby World Cup is now under threat. 

On 24 July, Zimbabwe beat Namibia 32-10 at the Africa Cup in Kampala and four days later went on to lift the title for the first time in 12 years when they beat Algeria 29-3 in the final. Namibia, meanwhile, finished third after beating Kenya 38-27 in the bronze medal match. 

Zimbabwe’s victory against Namibia ended a dominant era for the Welwitschias who won the Africa Cup six times in a row between 2014 and 2022, while it was also Zimbabwe’s first victory against Namibia in 23 years. 

More ominously, though, Zimbabwe’s win has added extra pressure on Namibia who’s proud record of seven consecutive appearances at the Rugby World Cup is now under threat. 

Next year’s Africa Cup will serve as the final qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and Zimbabwe have now sounded an emphatic warning that they intend to take Namibia’s seat at the global showpiece which takes place in Australia in 2027. 

They have, in fact, been scouring the globe to strengthen their side with foreign-based professionals with Zimbabwean roots and several players like former Australian flyhalf Kyle Godwin, former All Blacks loose forward Gareth Evans and former Junior Springbok lock Eli Snyman could soon be playing for Zimbabwe according to reports. Ian Prior, a former Australian u20 flyhalf, already made the switch and was one of Zimbabwe’s star players at the Africa Cup. 

Namibia, by contrast, didn’t send their strongest side to Kampala, using mostly local-based players, and with close to 30 professional players playing abroad, they should be able to strengthen the squad for next year’s crucial showdown. 

Namibia’s preparations will, however, be crucial to get the squad in top shape for the Africa Cup by June next year and in this regard the Namibia Rugby Union announced a busy rugby calendar for next year which will kick off with a regional 15s tournament in February, while the club leagues will start at the end of March.

In April and May the Welwitschias will play two friendly matches against South African teams that still need to be finalised, while they will take on the Stormers and the Blue Bulls in June as part of their preparations for the Africa Cup.

In another significant move, the NRU announced the appointment of Namibian rugby legend Jacques Burger as its new director of rugby in November, replacing South Africa’s Allister Coetzee.

Burger is Namibia’s greatest rugby player since independence, having represented the national team at three world cups – while he was also named as one of the top five players in the world at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. 

An all-local coaching staff for the national men’s team was also announced with Chrysander Botha taking over from Coetzee as head coach, while he will be assisted by Rohan Kitshoff, Jaco Engels and David Philander.

In other matches, the national team beat Burkina Faso 38-5 at the Africa Cup, but lost 37-22 at home to Portugal 37-22 on 13 July, while they were thrashed 92-8 by the Blue Bulls two weeks earlier.

Namibia’s national u20 team also found the going tough at the Africa u20 Barthes Cup in Harare, when they lost 34-28 to the eventual champions Kenya on 27 April. Namibia eventually finished third after beating Tunisia 26-12 in the bronze medal match. 

Wanderers, meanwhile, returned to the summit of Namibian rugby when they beat Unam 45-20 in a pulsating final on 14 September. 

In an epic battle of relentless pressure, huge collisions and crash tackles,

the momentum swung back and forth, but in the end Unam’s failure to finish off their opportunities took its toll, while Wanderers’ wore them down with their courageous defence and incisive attacks.

Wanderers, who led 14-8 at the break, scored five tries through Nandi Karuuombe (two), Jurgen Meyer, Danco Burger and a penalty try, while Denzo Bruwer added 18 points with the boot through three conversions, three penalties and a drop goal.

Unam scored three tries through flankers Abraham Ilonga, Camlo Martin and Rowan Jansen, while Aljarreau Zaahl added a conversion and a penalty. 

It was Wanderers’ their second title in three years, while the wait for Unam continues, as their last title triumph came seven years ago in 2017. 

Unam, however, dominated the women’s league, going through the season unbeaten and then crushing Wanderers 45-7 in the final. 

Unam’s forward power and pace out wide took its toll as they started finding cracks in Wanderers’ defence, which had no answer to the pace of winger Klaudia Josef. She ran in four tries for a personal tally of 20 points, while they got two more through a penalty try and one by winger Edwinia Kastoor. Flyhalf Michelle Slinger added four conversions and a penalty for a personal tally of 11 points. 

For Wanderers, centre Gabriella Jahs scored a try, converted by fellow centre Ida Visagie.