Namibia adds ex-Wallabies flanker to touring squad

Melbourne Rebels flanker Richard Hardwick has joined the Namibia squad for their upcoming test matches against Spain and Canada. The 28-year-old was born in Windhoek but grew up in Australia. He has now switched allegiance after winning two caps for the Wallabies in 2017.

Hardwick is one of six newcomers to Allister Coetzee’s touring squad of 30. New England Free Jacks center Le Roux Malan could soon make his test debut, and he is joined by hooker Wicus Jacobs, flyhalf André van den Berg, and wingers Warren Ludwig and Darryl Wellman.

Experienced tighthead prop Aranos Coetzee will miss the tests with a calf injury. Also ruled out are a series of outside backs in Lesley Klim, Gerswin Mouton, Chad Plato, Lorenzo Louis, and Alcino Isaacs. The team has also confirmed the retirement of World Cup veterans JC Greyling and Johann Tromp.

A mixed selection took on Currie Cup side Griquas this past weekend and were defeated 33-18 at Hage Geingob Stadium. The team will now take on Spain in Madrid on Saturday followed by Canada in Amsterdam on November 19.

LOOSEHEAD PROP
Jano Otto (United) 3 caps
Herschell van Wyk (Wanderers) 2 caps

HOOKER
Wicus Jacobs (Grootfontein) uncapped
Louis van der Westhuizen (Cheetahs, SA) 25 caps
Torsten van Jaarsveld (Bayonne, FR) 19 caps

TIGHTHEAD PROP
Jason Benade (UNAM) 9 caps
Chemigan Beukes (Western Suburbs) 1 cap
Casper Viviers (La Baule, FR) 37 caps

SECOND ROW
Adriaan Ludick (Limoges, FR) 5 caps
Ruan Ludick (Drancy, FR) 22 caps
Johan Retief (Griquas, SA) 17 caps
PJ van Lill (Capbreton Hossegor, FR) 57 caps

BACK ROW
Adriaan Booysen (Dallas Jackals, US) 22 caps
Wian Conradie (New England Free Jacks, US) 24 caps
Prince Gaoseb (Tel Aviv Heat, IL) 8 caps
Richard Hardwick (Melbourne Rebels, AU) uncapped
Max Katjijeko (Tel Aviv Heat, IL) 19 caps
Janco Venter (Griquas, SA) 32 caps

SCRUMHALF
TC Kisting (Dinamo, RO) 17 caps
Damian Stevens (NOLA Gold, US) 32 caps
Jacques Theron (Wanderers) 1 cap

FLYHALF
Cliven Loubser (Utah Warriors, US) 22 caps
PW Steenkamp (Orkan Sochaczew, PL) 10 caps
André van den Berg (Wanderers) uncapped

MIDFIELD
Danco Burger (Orkan Sochaczew, PL) 3 caps
Johan Deysel (capt., Colomiers, FR) 31 caps
Le Roux Malan (New England Free Jacks, US) uncapped

OUTSIDE BACKS
Warren Ludwig (Wanderers) uncapped
Divan Rossouw (Lions, SA) 3 caps
Darryl Wellman (UNAM) uncapped