RWC 2019 – The Competitors – Namibia

Namibia have a demonstrated ability at qualifying for RWC tournaments. The South-West African country has competed at the past five RWCs and is back again for this year’s tournament in Japan. The goal of winning a match will be hot on the agenda and a more sporting fixture list this year gives Namibia a viable target.

The Namibians hold the record for defeat by the largest margin in RWC history, a 142-0 loss against Australia in 2003. They have also been held nil in additional RWC matches against Georgia, and South Africa.

A win very nearly came against Georgia in RWC 2015 as the Eastern Europeans held on to claim a 17-16 victory. In RWC 2007 Namibia’s next best performance came in their first match in which they challenged Ireland to be ten points behind in the final minutes before losing 32-17.

 

WORLD CUP HISTORY

RWC	FINAL PLACING	RESULTS
1987	Did not qualify	–
1991	Did not qualify	–
1995	Did not qualify	–
1999	Group Stage	Lost vs Canada, Fiji, France
2003	Group Stage	Lost vs Argentina, Australia, Ireland, Romania
2007	Group Stage	Lost vs Argentina, France, Georgia, Ireland
2011	Group Stage	Lost vs Fiji, Samoa, South Africa, Wales
2015	Group Stage	Lost vs Argentina, Georgia, New Zealand, Tonga

Overall record: 0 Wins, 19 Losses

 

RWC 2019 SCHEDULE

Namibia have been dealt a highly favorable fixture calendar and also kind venues. The Africans will play exclusively on weekends, a marked improvement to that from scheduling from prior RWCs. Little travel will be required compared to most. Namibia will play exclusively on Honshu island and will work their way north from one match to the next.

First up will be Italy in Osaka on the opening Sunday of the tournament. Six days later Namibia will face southern neighbors South Africa in Toyota before traveling to the capital to face New Zealand on the third Sunday of the tournament. The fourth Sunday will see Namibia facing Canada in Kamaishi.

Unlike prior RWC tournaments Namibia will now be able to field its genuine first XV for all pool matches if desired. While others will need to select which match to target the Africans are in a comparable position of luxury which cannot be underestimated.

DATE	OPPONENT	VENUE
Sun, Sept 22	Italy	Hanazono Stadium, Osaka
Sat, Sept 28	South Africa	Toyota Stadium, Toyota
Sun, Oct 6	New Zealand	Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo
Sun, Oct 13	Canada	Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi

 

PREDICTED TRAVELING 31

FORWARDS: Aranos Coetzee (Cheetahs, SA), AJ de Clerk (Welwitschias), André Rademeyer (Western Province, SA), Nelius Theron (Leopards, SA), Casper Viviers (Suresnes, FR), Obert Nortjé (Welwitschias), Louis van der Westhuizen (Leopards, SA), Torsten van Jaarsveld (Bayonne, FR), Adrian Ludick (Welwitschias), Ruan Ludick (Welwitschias), Mahepisa Tjeriko (Welwitschias), Tjiuee Uanivi (London Scottish, UK), Renaldo Bothma (Harlequins, UK), Wian Conradie (NWU Pukke, SA), Max Katjijeko (Welwitschias), Rohan Kitshoff (Welwitschias), PJ van Lill (Bayonne, FR), Janco Venter (Jersey Reds, UK)

BACKS: Eugene Jantjies (Welwitschias), TC Kisting (Welwitschias), Damian Stevens (Boland Cavaliers, SA), Cliven Loubser (University of Pretoria, SA), Henrique Olivier (Eastern Province, SA), PW Steenkamp (Welwitschias), Darryl de la Harpe (Welwitschias), Johan Deysel (Colomiers, FR), JC Greyling (Welwitschias), Justin Newman (Leopards, SA), Johann Tromp (Welwitschias), Chrysander Botha (Welwitschias), Divan Rossouw (Bulls, SA)

 

PREDICTED MATCH-DAY 23

1 Casper Viviers, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 4 Mahepisa Tjeriko, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 6 Wian Conradie, 7 Janco Venter, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 9 Damian Stevens, 10 Cliven Loubser, 11 Divan Rossouw, 12 Darryl de la Harpe, 13 Johan Deysel (capt.), 14 Johann Tromp, 15 Chrysander Botha

Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 AJ de Klerk, 18 Nelius Theron, 19 Max Katjijeko, 20 PJ van Lill, 21 Eugene Jantjies, 22 PW Steenkamp, 23 JC Greyling

Key Back: Johan Deysel
Key Forward: Tjiuee Uanivi
Talisman: Renaldo Bothma

 

RWC 2019 PREVIEW

Namibia qualified for RWC 2019 as Africa 1. The Welwitschias were only up against Tier 3 opponents which saw them blitzing the opposition in all matches. Namibia defeated Uganda 55-6, Tunisia 118-0, Morocco 63-7, Zimbabwe 58-28, and Kenya 53-28.

Since the RWC expanded from 16 to 20 the Africa 1 qualifying spot has always been claimed by Namibia. The Welwitschias have had few problems in qualifying but have found the step up highly challenging. This has seen them remaining winless from 19 prior RWC pool matches.

In the years between RWC 2015 and 2019 Namibia has been rocked by off-field issues. On the field wins have continued against African opposition though there have been no games against South Africa.

Against non-African countries Namibia secured a 2 point win over Spain in 2016 only to lose the same fixture the following year. In 2018 Spain would beat Namibia 34-13. Romania, and Russia also both recorded comfortable victories. In Africa Namibia lost a home test series 2-0 against Uruguay in 2017.

Namibia are projected to lose against Italy, South Africa, New Zealand, and Canada. This would see the Welwitschias losing all their matches to extent their unbeaten run at RWC pool matches to 23.

Week 1 – Italy
Week 2 – Fiji
Week 3 – Japan
Week 4 – England
Week 5 – Namibia
Week 6 – Wales