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Namibia’s national men’s rugby team has departed for Uruguay. The Namibians will compete in Uruguay against the Argentina XV, Russia, and Los Teros in the World Rugby Nations Cup in June.
The Africa No 2 are flying today from Namibia to Uruguay, doing so with connecting flights in Johannesburg, and São Paulo.
Leading the team will be Johan Deysel, the Namibian center who famously scored against New Zealand at RWC 2015 in London.
For Deysel and Namibia the Nations Cup is a vital part of their preparation for RWC 2019. Due to a lack of funds this year’s Africa Gold Cup was cancelled leaving the Namibians with a massive void to fill. It has come in the form of three games in Uruguay, two of which are capped against RWC 2019 teams.
At RWC 2019 Namibia will play against Canada, Italy, New Zealand, and South Africa. What awaits Namibia can be seen in detail by clicking here.
In the Nations Cup Namibia will be up against the next of XV of RWC 2015 opponent, Argentina. That team, the Argentina XV enter as the team to beat, with them having been unbeaten in the Sudamérica 6 Naciones A and not conceding a try.
Outside of RWCs Namibia have not faced Los Pumas outside of RWCs. On the other hand they have done so against both Russia, and Namibia. In November 2017 Uruguay defeated Namibia 52-36, and 39-34 in Africa; while in November 2018 Russia won 47-20 in Krasnodar against Namibia.
Namibia’s player roster for the Nations Cup includes players based both at home and abroad. From Europe there are four players included – Deysel (Colomiers, FR), Janco Venter (Jersey, UK), TC Kisting (Baie Mare, ROM), and Tjiuee Uanivi (Massy, Fra).
Selected from across the border with South Africa are two further players – Johan Retief (North West Leopards), and Wian Conradie (University of North West).
While the inclusion of Namibia’s professionals is a positive there are, nonetheless, missing names. Not released from their clubs are Torsten van Jaarsveld, PJ van Lill and Renaldo Bothma.
Meanwhile missing out through injury are flanker Rohan Kitshoff, hooker Louis van der Westhuizen, and backs Lesley Klim, Janry du Toit, Chris Arries and PJ Walters.
Other foreign-based players who were not released by their teams and could still be selected for the World Cup squad include Torsten van Jaarsveld (Bayonne, FR), PJ van Lill (Bayonne, FR), and Renaldo Bothma (Harlequins, UK).
Namibia begin the Nations Cup on Tuesday against the Argentina XV. Their subsequent fixtures will be against Uruguay on June 09, and Russia on 15 June.
FORWARDS
AJ de Klerk, Jason Benade, André Rademeyer, Niel van Vuuren, Obert Nortje, Aranos Coetzee, Desiderius Sethie, Tjiuee Uanivi, Johan Retief, Mahepisa Tjeriko, Janco Venter, Adriaan Booysen, Wian Conradie, Leneve Damens, Thomasau Forbes, Prince Gaoseb, Max Katjijeko
BACKS
Damian Stevens, Eugene Jantjies, TC Kisting, Cliven Loubser, PW Steenkamp, Darryl de la Harpe, Johan Deysel (capt.), JC Greyling, Justin Newman, Dumarcho Hartung, Oderich Mouton, Johann Tromp
