TRU's Country Profile - Namibia
Currently ranked 22nd in the world, Namibia qualified for their fifth successive Rugby World Cup this summer, as they saw off competition from Zimbabwe, Kenya and Madagascar to win the 2014 Africa Cup and take their place in Pool C, alongside New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Georgia.
Despite making it to the four previous World Cups, Namibia is yet to secure a win at the tournament, but that is certainly not detracting from the Namibia Rugby Union’s attempts to ensure their side are as prepared as they can be when their 2015 campaign kicks off against the All Blacks in just over a year’s time at the Olympic Stadium, London.
Tentative plans have been put in place for the Namibian national team to head to Europe this autumn to take on Canada (in North Wales), the French Barbarians and Portugal, following a home test against either Germany or Zimbabwe in Windhoek. The European tour, which would coincide with the IRB International Window, would allow for Namibia to pick their European-based players, such as Saracens’ Jacques Burger and Exeter’s Chrysander Botha, helping them build chemistry with a team that is largely comprised of Namibian and South African-based players.
The NRU’s plans do not stop there however, as they are also seeking for Namibia to be entered into the 2015 Vodacom Cup in South Africa and the 2015 IRB Nations Cup in Romania. Though the Vodacom Cup plan, which is yet to be confirmed, would likely only feature domestic-based players, the IRB Nations Cup, like their European tour, would fall in the IRB’s international window, allowing for unhindered access to players and the final formation of Namibia’s World Cup squad.
Outside of the Namibian camp, expectations are limited over the teams’ chances of securing their first ever World Cup win, especially given that in their history, Namibia have only recorded one win over their fellow Pool C teams, which was a 21-16 victory over Georgia in 2010. If Namibia are to have any chances of upsetting the odds, it will likely fall to their respected back row to be the difference makers.
Openside flanker Burger is already a well-known commodity in world rugby and the Welwitschias’ star man, but he is ably assisted in the back row by former Wasps’ man Tinus du Plessis, the Pumas’ Renaldo Bothma and Top 14, Currie Cup and Super Rugby veteran Rohan Kitshoff. The rest of the pack will likely consist of players currently plying their trade in Namibia, but Brive prop Johannes Coetzee should add some Gallic grunt to the front row.
There is talent to be unleashed in the back line, too. The possible half-back combination of Eugene Jantjies and Theuns Kotzé has Currie Cup and World Cup experience, whilst fullback Botha has sparkled in his first few appearances for Exeter in the Aviva Premiership. Further Currie Cup experience is provided by utility back Johan Deysel and winger Danie Dames, completing a group that could cause trouble for the forward-orientated Tongan and Georgian teams if Namibia can earn parity up front.
Fortunately for Namibia, they face both Tonga and Georgia at Sandy Park, home of the Exeter Chiefs and Botha, and are likely to receive a raucous backing from the locals. The African side will undoubtedly face tough shifts against both New Zealand and Argentina, but the two games at Sandy Park can be realistically targeted by head coach Danie Vermeulen as winnable.
Looking beyond the World Cup briefly, the future looks bright for Namibia, who recently won the Confederation of African Rugby U19 tournament, securing their place in the IRB’s Junior World Trophy next year in Portugal. They sent a very young squad to the JWT in Hong Kong this season and struggled, but with another year’s experience under their belts, as well as number of players progressing through the academies at Western Province and Natal Sharks in South Africa, Namibia should be in good shape to make a much bigger impact next year.
A talented crop of youngsters ready to make their mark bodes well for the future of Namibian rugby, as do initiatives to help spread and develop rugby in the Karas Region of the country (http://www.namibianrugby.com/?p=1257), but there is no underestimating how important it is for them to shed the growing monkey on their back when they head to England next year.
Two victories over Ireland and Italy apiece in 1991 currently represents the high point of Namibian rugby, but if they can finally achieve what has eluded them for so long, a win at the World Cup, it will eclipse even those great results. It certainly won’t be easy, but with the likes of Burger and Botha leading the way and Sandy Park playing the part of Windhoek North, Tonga and Georgia will be in for extremely stern challenges when come face-to-face with Namibia next year.
