By Otniel Hembapu
WINDHOEK – Not even the absence of Namibia’s rugby XV, the Welwitschias inspirational captain Jacques Burger will dampen the spirits of the Namibian brigade going into Saturday’s friendly clash against the visiting South African DHL Western Province at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek.
Burger had to be sidelined for Saturday’s encounter due an assortment of niggling injuries, but coach Danie Vermeulen has vowed to march on by calling up a strong 24-member squad, consisting of a mix of young and experienced players in a desperate bid to maintain momentum.
The match will serve as preparation for the forthcoming CAR (Confederation of African Rugby) Division-1A qualification tourney slated for Madagascar later this month.
The team is currently preparing for the tour to Madagascar, which represents the final round of qualifying matches for the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2015 in London and will also play another preparatory match against the South African Vodacom Blue Bulls later this month.
“These senior players have grown a lot during the past two years and have gelled very well with the new inclusions in the team.
The match against the Western Province will be a good test for our boys ahead of the CAR 1A tournament,” said Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) CEO Sybrand de Beer.
The 23-member squad is as follows: Johnny Redelinghuys, Rathony Becker, Andre Schlechter, Munee Tjiueza, Morne Blom, Rohan Kitshoff, Tinus du Plessis, P.J. van Lill (C), Arthur Bouwer, Theuns Kotze (V/C), Johan Tromp, Darryl Da La Harpe, Heinrich Smith, Conrad Marais, Chrysander Botha, D.G. Wiese, Jaco Engels, Shaun du Preeez, Stefan Neustadt, Awie Thompson, Eneill Buitendag, Johan Deysel, Divan Visser and Thomasua Forbes.