World Cup stars set to shine for Namibia

Namibia will enter the World Rugby Nations Cup with their strongest ever entry as their World Cup stars return to international duty. The team will be captained by abrasive Bulls loose forward Renaldo Bothma, who will move to Aviva Premiership club Harlequins next season. Also present is departing Glasgow Warriors second row Tjiuee Uanivi and France-based duo Casper Viviers and PJ van Lill.

Along with Bothma the squad is bolstered by five further Super Rugby representatives. Cheetahs front rowers Aranos Coetzee and Torsten van Jaarsveld will add steel to the scrum while Sharks midfielder Johan Deysel and Southern Kings speedsters Johann Tromp and Chrysander Botha bring class to the backline. Experienced halfback duo Eugene Jantjies and Theuns Kotzé are reunited with the latter set to extend his run as Namibia’s all-time leading points scorer.

A handful of new names have been drafted in by head coach Phil Davies. Specialist second row Mahepisa Tjeriko and NWU Pukke lock or loose forward Johan Retief bring useful size to the pack. Promising Sharks academy flyhalf Cliven Loubser will act as understudy to vice-captain Kotzé and there are first time selections for Justin Newman and Lesley Klim, each capable of playing at outside center or wing.

FORWARDS
Aranos Coetzee (Cheetahs), AJ de Klerk (Welwitschias), Shaun du Preez (Welwitschias), Collen Smith (Welwitschias), Casper Viviers (Bobigny, FR), Louis van der Westhuizen (Leopards), Torsten van Jaarsveld (Cheetahs), Ruan Ludick (Merthyr, UK), Mahepisa Tjeriko (Welwitschias), Tjiuee Uanivi (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Janco Venter (Western Province), Renaldo Bothma (capt., Bulls), Wian Conradie (U of Johannesburg), Johan Retief (NWU Pukke), Christo van der Merwe (Western Province), PJ van Lill (Bayonne, FR)

BACKS
Eugene Jantjies (Welwitschias), Damian Stevens (Sharks), Theuns Kotzé (Welwitschias), Cliven Loubser (Sharks), Darryl de la Harpe (Welwitschias), Johan Deysel (Sharks), JC Greyling (Welwitschias), Justin Newman (NWU Pukke), Lesley Klim (Welwitschias), Johann Tromp (Southern Kings), Gino Wilson (Welwitschias), Chrysander Botha (Southern Kings)