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Namibia have named their team to play Russia in Windhoek on Saturday, their first match since the much-publicised departure of head coach Danie Vermeulen. Saracens flanker Jacques Burger returns as captain for only his second test since the 2011 World Cup, and his first home match since June of 2008.
The selection is a mix of first choice and fringe players, with five changes to the run-on side that lost to Spain in the Nations Cup on June 21. Jaco Engels and Nico Esterhuyse replaces Johan Coetzee and Janco Venter respectively, while P.J. van Lill drops out and Tinus du Plessis moves to no8 to make room for Burger in the only change to the back row.
Eugene Jantjies starts at scrumhalf with Eneill Buitendag swapped to the bench, and Johan Deysel of the Leopards replaces J.C. Greyling in the midfield. Super Rugby veterans Torsten van Jaarsveld, Renaldo Bothma, and Chrysander Botha are included in reserves.
The Welwitschias have played Russia on two previous occasions, losing 31-12 in 1994 and 30-15 in 2010. Both were played in Windhoek.
Namibia are in Pool C at the World Cup, together with Argentina, Georgia, New Zealand, and Tonga. Russia did not qualify for the tournament, losing to Uruguay in the repechage.
NAMIBIA
1 Jaco Engels 2 D.G. Wiese 3 Casper Viviers 4 Tjiuee Uanivi 5 Nico Esterhuyse 6 Jacques Burger (capt.) 7 Thomasau Forbes 8 Tinus du Plessis 9 Eugene Jantjies 10 Theuns Kotzé 11 Russell van Wyk 12 Johan Deysel 13 Danie van Wyk 14 David Philander 15 Johann Tromp
16 Torsten van Jaarsveld 17 Raoul Larson 18 A.J. de Klerk 19 Renaldo Bothma 20 Rohan Kitshoff 21 Eneill Buitendag 22 J.C. Greyling 23 Chrysander Botha
