A total of 28 players have been picked for the upcoming Barthés Trophy Cup in Zimbabwe from 18 to 27 April at the Old Georgians Sport Club.

This year’s tournament will feature only four countries: the host nation, Namibia, Tunisia,and Kenya.

Organised by Rugby Africa, the U/20 Barthés Trophy is an annual rugby union event featuring national teams from Africa. The tournament commenced in 2007 with Uganda as the host, where Namibia claimed the title.

Zimbabwe’s Junior Sables are the current defending champions. 

The winners of this year’s tournament will secure qualification to the 2024 World Rugby U/20 Trophy in Scotland from 2 to 17 July.

Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) vice president Johan Diergaardt said there is still work to be done to get the players up to standard.

However, he added that the selected squad is good.

The team is currently without a coach, and will be led by Allister Coetzee, the head coach of the senior squad.

Pupkewitz Nissan sponsorship

At the same time, the NRU yesterday announced that it has prolonged its collaboration with Pupkewitz Nissan for another eight months.

This agreement will involve the automotive company providing vehicles to assist the union in carrying out their day-to-day activities.

The full squad:

Forwards:

Otja Aula, Gianluca Savoldini, Joshua Bester, Ian Klitzke, Jayden van Zyl, Armand Combrick, Edward Drotsky, Ferion Beukes, William Lottering, Mathew Quinn, JP Campbell, Arenzo Isaack, Kistings Minyoi, McHenry Kambatuka,Walter Otto and Ben Burger

Backs 

Denver Beukes, JD Roussouw, Michael Koopman, Van der Merwe Tromp, Xavier Mouton, JP van Wyk, SG Maritz, Jurgen Meyer, Liam Dick, Hendrick van Schalkwyk, Surami Kabombo and Ashton van Wyk.

- lmupetami@nepc.com.na