The Namibia Rugby Union is looking forward to an exciting year of rugby, with the aim to excel at all international tournaments.
Among the competitions lined up are the U/20 Bartez Cup in Kenya in April, African qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup in France in July, women’s seven-a-side in Lesotho later this month, as well as another U/20 men’s competition also in Lesotho.
In an interview with this publication yesterday, NRU president Corry Mensah said there are more competitions lined up for this year, such as the senior men taking on South African rugby side, Griquas.
“We are anticipating to have two matches against the Griquas, whom we are still waiting to find out on their availability,” he said.
Mensah said they look forward to compete in the Rugby Africa Cup qualifiers that will be held in France for the first time. This event serves as qualifiers to the 2023 World Cup that will be held in that country.
This knockout tournament will take place in the first half of July with the four group winners – Namibia, Senegal, Uganda and Zimbabwe – against Burkina Faso, Algeria, Kenya and Ivory Coast. The semi-finals will follow and the long-awaited final. Ranking matches will also be played. The runner-up will have to make do with a place in the Final Qualification Tournament to make one final attempt to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023.
In their last international outing last year, the Welwitschias won the 2021 Stellenbosch Rugby Challenge in South Africa, solidifying their march towards the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The four nations saw Namibia against Zimbabwe, Brazil and Kenya.
On women’s rugby, he said a seven-a-side team will compete in Lesotho. This tournament serves as qualifiers to the upcoming Commonwealth Games that will be held later this year in England.
“The women’s side will be expected to get things started this month when they travel to Lesotho to compete in the sevens side. Although we have not yet established the teams that will be partaking in the competition, we do know that competition starts this month-end.”
Mensah added that the seven-a-side tournament will also serve as qualifier to the seven-a-side world cup, which will be held in Cape Town, South Africa.
“If we can do well then it would mean that we will book our place at the upcoming seven-side tournament in South Africa,” he said.
Namibia’s women’s 15 team suffered a heavy 75-5 defeat to Zambia in November last year.
Meanwhile, Namibia will also send a men’s U/20 side to compete in different tournaments in Lesotho.
“It’s a new year and we looking forward to take part in all these competitions that lie ahead of us; most importantly, to get our correct place in the seven-side.”
- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na