Wanderers Ruby Club coach Rohan Kitshoff said it was not an easy match against a strong Grootfontein side on Saturday, but they gained a lot of confidence from the encounter.

Wanderers had Grootfontein taste their first defeat in the ongoing Namibia Rugby Union premier league, beating them 39-23 in the capital.

“It was a tough match against Grootfontein, who were the log leaders. They played a very physical game, and it made our players step up and bring their A-game to the match. We gained a lot of confidence from the victory, and I hope and believe moving forward, we will replicate the same energy and conquer the next opponent,” he told New Era Sport.

The home team scored a try in the opening minute of the game through Warren Ludwig, which was converted by Andre van den Berg to take an early 7-0 lead.

With the visitors still regrouping, Wanderers struck again through Nandivatu Karuuombe. Van den Berg converted to make it 14-0 in the 12th minute.

Grootfontein then reduced the deficit in the 20th minute when prop Nelius Theron scored his side’s first try, but they failed to convert. The score at this point was 14-5 for Wanderers.

Five minutes later, John Amutenya scored Grootfontein’s second try, which was converted by Dehan Reynders to reduce the shortfall to 14-12.

With halftime approaching, the visitors took a deserved lead, scoring a try through Lodewikus Jacobs to lead by 14-17 at the break.

However, the home team came back strongly in the second half to score a try through Jacques Theron to regain the lead (19-17).

The two teams then exchanged several penalties, which saw Wanderers score five and the visitors score two.

This left the scoreline at 34-23 in favour of the host, but substitute prop Obert Nortje had the final say, scoring a last-minute try to make the final score 39-23.

Heading forward, Kitshoff said they hope to maintain the great run and reach the final stages of the competition. 

“We are taking it step by step. We want to continue producing the same performance. I believe we have the capacity, and our players have proven themselves,” he added.

The victory saw Wanderers climb to second position on the log with 11 points, tied with Grootfontein, who now occupy third position. Kudus are currently leading the log standings with 14 points.

Elsewhere, log leaders Kudus thrashed United 25-19, while Western Suburbs beat Reho Falcon 40-11. 

Meanwhile, defending champions Unam beat Rehoboth by a narrow 18-16 margin.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na

- Additional reporting Nampa