Maqonda Ndlovu
The 2023 Namibia Rugby Premier League matches came to a conclusion this past weekend as Wanderers, United, Kudus and Rehoboth were confirmed as the top four teams to contest the semi-finals in two weeks.
This comes after Kudus failed to honour their fixture against Rehoboth, citing a lack of funds after having already qualified for the semifinals.
However, the University of Namibia (Unam), who were still in the running to gate-crash the top four positions, walloped Grootfontein 68-0 and Unam Rugby Fields, while United extinguished Western Suburbs tiny hopes of making it to the semifinals via a 24-17 victory.
Wanderers beat Reho Falcons 69-14 to cement their status as favourites going into the semifinals.
At Unam Rugby Fields, Unam scored 10 unanswered tries and converted nine of them as they put visiting Grootfontein to the sword.
Peace Shimwino and Shareave Titus scored two tries each, while Roaldo Rittman, Barry Gande, Viery Haufiku, Conwill Draghoender, Jaden Jeffery and Martin Camlo each scored a try.
Flyhalf Raschano van Rooi converted eight of them, with captain and lock Graham April adding one conversion as the students ran riot.
For Wanderers, Anton Steenkamp scored a hatrick of tries, while Danie van der Merwe and Armand Kotze contributed a double apiece, and Warren Ludwig, Nandivatu Karuuombe, Dandre Schreuder and Thomasau Forbes each scored one try for the log leaders.
For Reho Falcons, Keynnen Basson and Francious Cummings replied with consolation tries, which Enrique Husselmann converted.
Wanderers will now play Rehoboth, while Kudus will face United in the semi-finals next Saturday.
The finals are scheduled for 26 August at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
Unam finished fifth, while Suburbs are sixth, and Grootfontein are in seventh place
Reho Falcons anchor the log. – jrnmarko@gmail.com