The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) has announced a 48-man squad for the country’s upcoming international tour, which will see the Welwitschias squaring off against Spain and Canada.
But ahead of their international voyage, the Welwitschias will first shake off some unwanted rust with a much-anticipated clash against the Griquas of South Africa in the main match of this year’s edition of the Dr Hage Geingob Cup on 5 November.
This match, set for the Hage Geingob stadium in the capital, will serve as the icebreaker for the Namibian senior side ahead of their tour to Europe and will equally set the tone for coach Allister Coetzee’s charges ahead of next year’s World Cup in France.
After their assignment against the Griquas, the Welwitschias will head to Madrid to face Spain in the opening clash of their international tour on 12 November, before turning their attention to Canada on 19 November in a match that will be played in the Netherlands.
The international tour squad appears to be well balanced, with veterans such as Pieter-Jan van Lil, Janco Venter, Adriaan Booysen, Helarius Kisting, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld and Johan Deysel all in the mix, while promising youngsters such as Malan le Roux, Peter Steenkamp, Justin Newman, Chad Plato and Andre van den Bergh also making the cut.
The Welwitschias defeated Kenya 36-0 in the final to win this year’s Rugby Africa Cup, which saw them automatically qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.
Next year’s tournament will mark Namibia’s seventh consecutive World Cup, having made their debut at the men’s rugby marquee event in 1999. They have since appeared at every edition of the competition but are yet to win a game; something they will be looking to put right in France next year.
Namibia is in Pool A of the 2023 World Cup alongside powerhouses New Zealand, France, Italy and Uruguay; a group that will see five teams from four continents going against each other.
The Welwitschias will open their World Cup campaign on 09 September against Italy in St. Etienne, before travelling to Toulouse for their second pool match against three-time World Cup winners New Zealand on 15 September.
Game three for Namibia will be six days after game two. It is to be another tough assignment as the Welwitschias will take on host France in Marseille. The final match for the Namibians will be against Uruguay on 27 September in Lyon.
The preliminary squad: Chemigan Beukes, Obert Nortje, Casper Vivers, Pieter-Jan van Lil, Max Katjiteo, Wian Conradie, Janco Venter, Prince Goaseb, Damian Stevens, Cliven Loubser, Milan van Wyk, Danco Burger, Malan le Roux, Lesly Klim, Divan Rossouw, Jano Otto, Lodewikus Jacobs, Jason Benade, Adriaan Wayne Ludik, Johan Retief, Camron Langenhoven, Bakkies Rossouw, Adriaan Booysen, Helarius Kisting, Peter Steenkamp, Daryll Wellman, Alcino Isaacs, Justin Newman, Chad Plato, Lorenzo Garcia Luis, Herchelle van Wyk, Louis van der Westhuizen, Nellus Theron, Ruan Ludick, Daimando Tjombe, Darius van Soloms, Johan Littig, Joshua Jacobs, Oderich Mouton, Jacques Theron, Andre van den Bergh, Oela Blaaw, PJ Walters, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Johannes Coetzee, Johan Deysel, Warren Ludwig and Gerswin Mouton.
- ohembapu@nepc.com.na