WINDHOEK – Namibia’s senior rugby side, Welwitschias, as the team is affectionately known among its ardent followers, wrapped up its preparations for its European tour in fine style with a comprehensive 58-20 victory over Germany last night.
The IRB-sanctioned test match was shifted to the Trustco United sports ground in Olympia and attracted a large crowd with the
Namibian Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob among the thousands in attendance.
The hosts took the lead when centre Johan Deysel grounded the ball after cutting in from the blind side, but Shaun Kaizemi missed the conversion (5-0).
Christopher Hilsenbeck reduced the deficit with a well-taken penalty kick before dispatching another set piece neatly through the posts in exactly the same fashion to give the Germans the lead (6-5).
However, the lead was to be short-lived as the hosts regained the lead with Johan Tromp dotting down Namibia’s second try, with
Kaizemi obliging from the resultant set piece (12-6).
The home team upped their game and stretched their lead through tries by captain Rohan Christoph and Ryan Da La Harpe with Kaizemi on target on both occasions to give the hosts an unassailable 36-6 cushion – going into the changeover.
Germany, perched 4 places behind World cup bound Namibia on the IRB World rankings started to pay frequent visits into the Namibian danger zone after the resumption but found the Namibian defense in an uncompromising mood.
Three tries in quick succession – courtesy of Thomasua Forbes, Danie Dames and Tromp, sandwiched by Kaizemi’s conversions
all but put the result to bed (53-6).
Despite the setback, the strongly built Germans fought back gallantly and were rewarded with two tries very much against the run of play through forward Kehoma Bremmer and scrumhalf Sean Armstrong, both superbly goaled by Hilsenbeck (53-20).
Substitute JC Greyling put the final nail into the visitors’ coffin with an unconverted copybook try to put the seal on an impressive performance on the night. Final score: Namibia 58-20 Germany.
By Carlos Kambaekwa