Coastal outfit Dolphin opened their 2026 Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) Premier League campaign impressively with a win against Khomasdal-based Western Suburbs 45-21 in Swakopmund on Saturday.

After struggling in previous Premier League seasons, Dolphin appeared rejuvenated, running in seven tries and adding four conversions in a dominant display at the Tamariskia Sports Ground.

The home side delighted their supporters with a commanding performance, as Zaino van Wyk and Ronaldo Diergaardt each crossed the line twice. Further tries came from Jerome Immanuel, Elrico Beukes and Demashu Maya.

Van Wyk contributed three conversions, while Maya added one, rounding off an impressive tally of 45 points.

Despite the convincing victory, Dolphin’s discipline remains a concern, with four players sent to the sin bin. 

Van Wyk and Maya were both shown yellow cards, while Conwill Draghoender and Jerome Schumann were also temporarily dismissed.

Western Suburbs managed three tries in response and also had discipline issues of their own, with Wyatte Brooks and Upahee Munuura both sin-binned during the encounter.

The win sees Dolphin move into second place on the log level on six points with Kudus, who lead the standings on goal difference.

Another match at the coast saw Kudus claim top spot after a commanding 45-20 victory over Rehoboth at the Jan Wilken Stadium in Walvis Bay.

Western Suburbs now find themselves eighth in the nine-team standings, while Rehoboth remains rooted to the bottom in ninth place.

Grootfontein continued their strong form of recent seasons with a hard-fought 35-30 win over Unam, maintaining third place on the log with five points and reinforcing their status as the leading side from northern Namibia.

In Windhoek, arch-rivals Trustco United suffered a narrow 27-24 defeat to Wanderers in a dramatic encounter. 

United controlled much of the match but conceded a last-minute try, handing Wanderers their first derby win of the season.

Wanderers sit fourth on the log with four points, while United are fifth with two points, having secured bonus points for scoring four tries and losing by fewer than seven points.

Unam occupies sixth place with one point earned from their four tries.

Round two of the NRU Premier League resumes on 18 April 2026 with Reho Falcon, who did not feature in the opening weekend, set to begin their campaign.

-Nampa