2017-09-08Staff Report 2 "Carlos Kambaekwa Windhoek-History is in the making as Khomasdal outfit Western Suburbs welcomes the coastal-based College Rovers to Suburbs Park in their opening match of the South African Provincial Club Championship, the Gold Cup, in Windhoek tomorrow. The green and white strip outfit will be at full strength after the club reached an agreement with the country’s rugby presiding body, the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), to have their national team players released for this important clash. Sentiments aside, Suburbs are the underdogs going into the match, but with coach Walter Don on their side, the Namibian amateurs are capable of frustrating any team on their home turf at any given time – and tomorrow’s battle should be no exception. Don, a former national senior rugby team scrumhalf and coach, needs no introduction to provincial rugby, because as a player he on numerous occasions represented his native land in the highly competitive and segregation-defiant Federation League during the height of apartheid in South West Africa (SWA) back in the day. With a relatively young and inexperienced team, Suburbs surprised friend and foe alike with some breathtaking performances during the just-ended campaign, which saw the team mount a sustained challenge for the coveted league title, despite fielding an almost new team, composed from scratch. Suburbs will be minus three of their star players in the shape of centre Alistair Muller, flanker Tjingairi Katjivi and fast-as-lightning winger Collins Omalu. The trio is currently on national duty with the national junior rugby team in Canada. Inside centre Daryl de La Harpe will also come up against his former teammates, as the Namibian enjoyed a successful short stint with the Durban side during his early days in provincial rugby. Entry fee for the match is set at N$30 for adults, N$10 for school going children and N$100 per vehicle. Suburbs’ starting lineup: 1Andreas Shikonekeni Loose head prop 2Neville Vries Hooker 3Aleck Botha Tight head prop 4James Kisting Left lock 5Fidel Micolleney Right lock 6Garoeb Ryan Left flanker 7Thomasau Roberto Forbes Right flanker 8Roderique Victor Eightman 9JC Winkler Scrumhalf 10Eugene Anthony Jantjies Flyhalf 11Nikin Cloete Left wing 12Darryl Pierce De La Harpe Inside centre 13Justin Nel Outside centre 14Gino Wilson Right wing 15Cardo Swartz Fullback Replacements 16Jonathan Goliath Reserves 17Elliot Lombardt Reserves 18Gawachab Gerald HowardReserves 19Unomuinjo KatjiuonguaReserves 20Vakomboka Kamboo Reserves 21Jean Paul Jenneker Reserves 22Japhet Tjindjo Reserves" 2017-09-08Staff Report 2
