WINDHOEK – Namibia’s 2015 Rugby World Cup preparations received a massive boost following announcements that Welwitschias fullback Chrysander Botha will by next week finally return to action when his English club Exeter Chiefs take on Heriots.
Botha has for the past few months been on the sidelines nursing a broken leg and dislocated ankle, which occurred during Namibia’s Northern Hemisphere tour late last year.
But having fully recovered from the injuries, Botha will be expected to be in top form when Chiefs lock horns with the Heriots next week to celebrate the Edinburgh club’s 125th anniversary.
Director of Rugby at the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), John Williams, warmheartedly welcomed the good news, saying his return to action will not only be beneficial to his club but to the national team as well since he is one of the experienced players in the national team.
“I’m not the coach but generally speaking and in my capacity as director of rugby, Botha’s return is good news to everyone. He is one of the top players we currently have and his recovery will obviously come in handy for Namibia’s World Cup preparations but we will keenly follow his progress to determine his level of his recovery and availability,” said Williams.
Namibia, who play in Pool C of this year’s World Cup with New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Georgia, join South Africa as the only two African countries at the international rugby showpiece.