Namibia take top side to World Cup Qualifiers

Namibia head coach Phil Davies is not taking any chances in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, taking his best available side to compete for the Rugby Africa Gold Cup. The winner of the regional competition advances directly to Rugby World Cup 2019 as ‘Africa 1’ while the second-place team will move into the Repechage tournament in November as ‘Africa 2’.

The 34-man squad includes five European players, headlined by London Scottish second row Tjiuee Uanivi and Harlequins loose forward Renaldo Bothma. Other notables are Cheetahs front row duo Aranos Coetzee and Torsten van Jaarsveld, and former Exeter Chiefs fullback Chrysander Botha.

Botha is one of 15 currently attached to the Welwitschias, Namibia’s high performance domestic side that competes in South Africa’s provincial SuperSport Rugby Challenge. Two-time World Cup veterans Rohan Kitshoff and Darryl de la Harpe are regulars with the team as is three-time World Cup scrumhalf Eugene Jantjies, the most experienced man in the squad with 61 caps.

Also named are five uncapped players. Second row Adriaan Ludick joins brother Ruan in the squad, along with 2017 u20 graduates Wihan von Wielligh and PW Steenkamp. Bulls winger Divan Rossouw joins from Super Rugby and talented outside back Janry du Toit is set to make his senior debut.

Among the small number of absentees are imposing No8 Adriaan Booysen and record points-scorer Theuns Kotzé who both miss out with injury. Worcester Warriors lock Anton Bresler remains eligible but has yet to commit to the team for the World Cup. Left on the standby list are loose forwards Christo van der Merwe and Thomasau Forbes, and experienced outside back trio David Philander, Russell van Wyk, and Johann Tromp.

The Gold Cup begins on June 16 and runs until August 18. Namibia will enter as favorites against opponents Uganda, Tunisia, Morocco, and Zimbabwe. Their final round-robin match will be against Kenya who are expected to be their biggest challenge.

FORWARDS
Aranos Coetzee (Cheetahs), AJ de Klerk (Welwitschias), Desiderius Sethie (Welwitschias), Nelius Theron (Leopards), Casper Viviers (Bobigny, FR), Obert Nortjé (Welwitschias), Louis van der Westhuizen (Leopards), Torsten van Jaarsveld (Cheetahs), Adriaan Ludick (Paarl Gym), Ruan Ludick (Welwitschias), Johan Retief (Leopards), Mahepisa Tjeriko (Welwitschias), Tjiuee Uanivi (London Scottish, UK), Renaldo Bothma (Harlequins, UK), Wian Conradie (U of Johannesburg), Max Katjijeko (Welwitschias), Rohan Kitshoff (Welwitschias), PJ van Lill (Bayonne, FR), Janco Venter (Maties)

BACKS
Eugene Jantjies (Welwitschias), TC Kisting (Welwitschias), Damian Stevens (Griquas), Wihan von Wielligh (NWU Pukke), Cliven Loubser (Sharks), PW Steenkamp (Welwitschias), Darryl de la Harpe (Welwitschias), Johan Deysel (Sharks), JC Greyling (Welwitschias), Justin Newman (Leopards), Janry du Toit (Welwitschias), Lesley Klim (Doncaster Knights, UK), Divan Rossouw (Bulls), Gino Wilson (Welwitschias), Chrysander Botha (Welwitschias)

FIXTURES
June 16 – vs Uganda – Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek
June 23 – vs Tunisia – Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek
June 30 – vs Morocco – COC Rugby Club, Casablanca
August 4 – vs Zimbabwe – Police Grounds, Harare
August 18 – vs Kenya – Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek