Welwitschias’ head coach Allister Coetzee said a victory over South Africa’s Griquas in the Dr Hage Geingob Cup on Saturday is crucial as they start their preparations for next year’s Rugby World Cup.

The Namibian senior rugby side will face the Griquas at the Hage Geingob stadium in the capital.

Coetzee yesterday said their world cup preparations start at home in front of their fans, and it will be important for them to win the game.

“It’s a great honour to be part of this tournament and this is indeed a great opportunity to start our world cup preparations at home in front of our fans. We have 11 months left, which is not far. It’s an important one for us, since we have not played a lot at home,” he said.

In terms of the team’s readiness for Saturday’s encounter, the veteran coach said the players are well-prepared.

“We started training on Monday with the whole team and overall, I can say I am happy; we remain ready for Saturday’s match. We have a lot of injuries from some of the top players, but that also creates space for other players to prove themselves,” he said.

Namibia will also face Canada and the Netherlands later this month as part of their preparations for the world rugby showpiece set for next September in France.

Meanwhile, organisers of the Dr Hage Geingob Cup yesterday revealed the money raised on Saturday at the game will be diverted toward the team’s world cup preparations.

Namibia are drawn in Pool A against powerhouses New Zealand, host nation France, Italy and Uruguay. 

The Welwitschias qualified for their seventh consecutive Rugby World Cup after beating Kenya 36-0 in the final of the Rugby Africa Cup 2022 in July this year. 

Namibia made its debut at the RWC in 1999 but is yet to win a match, something they will be looking forward to doing in France.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na