By Otniel Hembapu
WINDHOEK – Still smarting from last month’s defeat at the hands of a South African invitational team during a friendly match, Namibia’s Rugby XV, the Welwitschias coach Danie Vermeulen, says it will be a different kettle of fish when Namibia takes on the visiting South African DHL Western Province at the Hage Geingob Stadium tomorrow.
Vermeulen is beating the war drums and his charges have unleashed their war chest promising to roll over Western Province in their warm-up clash, aimed at preparing the Welwitschias for the upcoming Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Division-1A tournament, which serves as qualification for next year’s World Cup in England. Namibia’s progress at the CAR Division-1A tournament slated for Madagascar later this month will largely be pegged on how they perform in tomorrow’s match and in another upcoming friendly against the South African Vodacom Blue Blues on the 21st of this month, and coach Vermeulen knows he has little time to get his ducks in a row ahead of the Madagascar mission.
But judging by their pedestrian performance in their last encounter, it will take something special for the Welwitschias to pull off a positive result and it’s a fact that Vermeulen acknowledged when he conceded that discipline, teamwork and sticking to their game plan would be pivotal components in achieving a much-desired victory. Coach Vermeulen however expressed satisfaction with the way the younger players are learning from their seniors. “I’m particularly impressed with the younger boys, they are learning fast from the experienced guys and that gives me more satisfaction going forward. I’m not too concerned with getting wins in these friendlies, but my focus is on getting the formations right and gelling the junior and senior players well together before we depart for Madagascar.”