Namibia name World Cup squad

Argentina’s final opponents in pool play, Namibia, have confirmed their 31-man player roster for the Rugby World Cup. Namibian Head Coach Phil Davies has made the decision to take 17 forwards and 14 backs with the electric Saracens back-rower Jacques Burger captaining the team for the second consecutive World Cup.

Burger is one of four players making their third appearance in a World Cup. He is joined by prop Johnny Redelinghuys, back-rower Tinus du Plessis and scrumhalf Eugene Jantjies who all played in both Rugby World Cups 2007 and 2011. Of them Redelinghuys is Namibia’s most capped player in history with 46 caps at present. He could earn his 50th against Argentina in Namibia’s fourth and final pool match.

The four returning players from the previous two Rugby World Cups are joined by nine others who were a part of the 2011 squad – Raoul Larson, Rohan Kitshoff, PJ van Lill, Theuns Kotzé, Darryl de La Harpe, Danie van Wyk, Conrad Marais, David Philander and Chrysander Botha.

Davies has made the unusual decision to select only one specialist second row, Tjiuee Uanivi, with van Lill and Janco Venter instead expected to fill in. There is also slim pickings at flyhalf, with Kotzé set to fill the role in every match and Jantjies the only other player with significant experience in the position.

The Welwitschias are to play in their fifth Rugby World Cup and are in search of winning a match for the first time. Namibia’s best performance to date was a 32-17 loss against Ireland in Bordeaux in 2007.
Namibia have the tough assignment of playing their first match of the World Cup against the All Blacks. The match will take place in London on September 24 following New Zealand’s opening match against Argentina, also in London.

Namibia will have a short turn-around before facing Georgia in Exeter and will remain in the south-west to face Tonga some eight days later. Lastly, Namibia will face Los Pumas in Leicester on the final day of pool play after a three-day break between matches.

FORWARDS
Johan Coetzee (Brive), A.J. de Klerk (Wanderers), Jaco Engels (United), Raoul Larson (SWD Eagles), Johnny Redelinghuys (Wanderers), Casper Viviers (United), Louis van der Westhuizen (Leopards), Torsten van Jaarsveld (Cheetahs), Tjiuee Uanivi (Brive), PJ van Lill (Dax), Janco Venter (Maties), Renaldo Bothma (Sharks), Jacques Burger (capt., Saracens), Wian Conradie (U of Johannesburg), Leneve Damens (Wanderers), Tinus du Plessis (Wanderers), Rohan Kitshoff (Western Province).

BACKS
Eneill Buitendag (Wanderers), Eugene Jantjies (Dinamo Bucuresti), Damian Stevens (Western Province), Theuns Kotzé (Bressane), Darryl de la Harpe (Western Suburbs), Johan Deysel (Leopards), JC Greyling (United), Heinrich Smit (NWU Pukke), Danie van Wyk (United), Conrad Marais (Béziers), David Philander (Spotswood United), Russell van Wyk (Western Suburbs), Chrysander Botha (Exeter Chiefs), Johann Tromp (Wanderers).