Windhoek
Following last weekend’s 32-17 away defeat to Toyota Free State Cheetahs in their Currie Cup opener in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Namibia’s rugby XV – the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias – will be expected to dust themselves off and go for victory when they host Xerox Golden Lions at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek tomorrow.
Going into this weekend’s second match of the Currie Cup, the Welwitschias will have to deliver a much improved performance, as a win against the Lions is the only way the Namibian side, which consists mostly of home-based players, can prove they mean business.
On paper, the visitors are the favourites to walk away as victors, because of their experience, the level of competition in their domestic league, and the competitive conditions their players are exposed to in South Africa, but the Welwitschias proved during last weekend’s defeat that they have the heart and fortitude to compete at that level – thus should be capable of giving the visiting Lions an inhospitable welcome.
Needless to say, the Welwitschias have a lot resting on their shoulders and will be expected to throw everything in the way of the South African outfit to prove a point or two, if that’s what it takes to win on home soil and get their Currie Cup campaign on track.
Having already met last year during a Vodacom Cup clash, which the Lions won 53-3, the two sides have some unfinished business and tomorrow’s clash should serve as the perfect opportunity for the homeboys to settle old scores.
Come tomorrow, Welwitschias coach John Williams should have one message for his boys and that should be to encourage them to fully utilise home ground advantage and the cheering crowd, to prevent the visitors from stealing the show.