Wanderers head coach Janice Beukes has expressed satisfaction with her team’s opening performance in the women’s rugby league, describing it as a positive start despite acknowledging areas that still need improvement.
Beukes said preparation leading up to the match was demanding, noting the unpredictable nature of both teams. She credited her squad, which features a mix of experienced players, for delivering a solid performance on the day.
“Preparation for this match was very tough. Both teams are very unpredictable. We have a lot of older players playing good rugby,” she said. However, she emphasised that fitness remains a key area of concern—not just for her team, but across the league.
“We need to work on fitness and get all the teams on the same pace, but I think that’s all the teams right now,” she added.
Wanderers full-back Joana van Staden echoed her coach’s sentiments, acknowledging that while the team started well, there is still room for growth. She expressed confidence that the side will continue to improve as the season unfolds.
“We have areas to work on, but as the league progresses we will continue to put on good performances,” said Van Staden.
On the other side, United Women’s Rugby head coach Geraldine Louw remained optimistic despite her team’s loss. She said the technical team is fully aware of the shortcomings and is already working on addressing them.
“We know the areas where we are lacking and where we need to improve. The year is going to be long, and I know what my girls need to do,” she said.
Louw also highlighted the growth of the women’s game, pointing to an increase in participating teams this season as a positive sign for the sport’s development in Namibia.
“We have more teams this year than last year, which shows that women’s rugby is improving—even though we would have hoped to be further along by now,” she noted.
Despite the progress, Louw admitted that limited squad depth remains a significant challenge for her side.
“The biggest problem we have is that we don’t have enough players,” she said.
As the women’s rugby league season gets underway, both teams are expected to build on their opening performances, with a clear focus on improving fitness, depth, and overall competitiveness.