The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) yesterday officially confirmed that national head coach Chrysander Botha has stepped down from his position due to growing professional commitments outside the sport. 

This confirmation follows a report by Australian publication Rugby Pass, which first broke the news of Botha’s resignation. 

New Era Sport subsequently published a story in Tuesday’s edition, seeking clarity from the NRU. 

Botha was appointed head coach of the Namibian national rugby team in early November 2024, replacing Allister Coetzee. 

In an official statement, the union expressed its appreciation for Botha’s efforts and commitment, saying: “The NRU fully respects his decision and extends its sincere gratitude for his dedication and valuable contributions to Namibian rugby during his tenure”. 

To ensure continuity and readiness ahead of the upcoming Uganda Africa Cup, the NRU said it has swiftly activated its high-performance strategy. 

“The union is pleased to confirm the appointment of Darryl de la Harpe as technical assistant to the national team. A former Namibian international player with a wealth of rugby experience and insight, De la Harpe brings significant value to the technical team. He will collaborate closely with the coaching staff to support team readiness and on-field performance,” the statement reads. 

Looking ahead, the NRU reaffirmed its strategic focus on preparing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers. 

“In his role as director of Rugby, Jacques Burger has assumed leadership of a team of highly capable coaches tasked with preparing the national side for this critical qualification journey,” the NRU noted. The union stated that all operational and performance plans remain on course and that it is committed to fielding a competitive and well-prepared team. 

“We extend our best wishes to Botha in his professional pursuits and warmly welcome De la Harpe to his new role as we enter this crucial phase of preparation,” the statement adds. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na