Le Roux Malan among MLR talent called up to Namibia squad

Namibia are set to field their strongest team since the 2019 World Cup on their two-test European tour in November. Head coach Allister Coetzee has named a 48-strong training squad that will first take on Griquas in Windhoek on November 5. The squad will then be trimmed for matches against Spain in Madrid on November 12 and finally Canada in Amsterdam on November 19.

Among the 11 uncapped players is New England Free Jacks center Le Roux Malan. The 23-year-old was one of the form backs in the American competition this season. Another new name with US connections is versatile back Milaan van Wyk, who plays for collegiate side New Mexico Tech.

Others representing Major League Rugby are Free Jacks back row Wian Conradie, Dallas Jackals eightman Adriaan Booysen, NOLA Gold scrumhalf Damian Stevens, and Utah Warriors flyhalf Cliven Loubser. Former Seattle Seawolves hooker Obert Nortjé has also been named.

Former captain Renaldo Bothma was forced to retire in July after suffering a serious leg injury. Exeter prop Patrick Schickerling, who played for Namibia in two World Rugby u20 tournaments, was recently included in England’s training squad despite being ineligible.

Other notables absentees are prop Desiderius Sethie, flanker Thomasau Forbes, France-based lock Tjiuee Uanivi, and outside backs JC Greyling and Johann Tromp. All five traveled to Japan in 2019.

LOOSEHEAD PROP
Jano Otto (United) 3 caps
Nelius Theron (Grootfontein) 9 caps
Herschell van Wyk (Wanderers) 2 caps

HOOKER
Wicus Jacobs (Grootfontein) uncapped
Obert Nortjé (Wanderers) 21 caps
Louis van der Westhuizen (Cheetahs, SA) 25 caps
Torsten van Jaarsveld (Bayonne, FR) 19 caps

TIGHTHEAD PROP
Jason Benade (UNAM) 9 caps
Chemigan Beukes (Western Suburbs) 1 cap
Aranos Coetzee (Bath, UK) 28 caps
Casper Viviers (La Baule, FR) 37 caps

SECOND ROW
Max Katjijeko (Tel Aviv Heat, IL) 19 caps
Adriaan Ludick (Limoges, FR) 5 caps
Ruan Ludick (Drancy, FR) 22 caps
Johan Retief (Griquas, SA) 17 caps
Diamondo Tjombe (Western Suburbs) uncapped
PJ van Lill (Capbreton Hossegor, FR) 57 caps

BACK ROW
Adriaan Booysen (Dallas Jackals, US) 22 caps
Wian Conradie (New England Free Jacks, US) 24 caps
Prince Gaoseb (Tel Aviv Heat, IL) 8 caps
Joshua Jacobs (Kudus) uncapped
Cameron Langenhoven (Kudus) 1 cap
Johan Luttig (Grootfontein) 1 cap
Oderich Mouton (UNAM) 5 caps
Bakkies Rossouw (Shimlas, SA) uncapped
Janco Venter (Griquas, SA) 32 caps
Darius von Solms (Wanderers) uncapped

SCRUMHALF
Oela Blaauw (United) uncapped
TC Kisting (Dinamo, RO) 17 caps
Damian Stevens (NOLA Gold, US) 32 caps
Jacques Theron (Wanderers) 1 cap

FLYHALF
Cliven Loubser (Utah Warriors, US) 22 caps
PW Steenkamp (Orkan Sochaczew, PL) 10 caps
André van den Berg (Wanderers) uncapped
Milaan van Wyk (New Mexico Tech, US) uncapped

MIDFIELD
Danco Burger (Orkan Sochaczew, PL) 3 caps
Johan Deysel (Colomiers, FR) 31 caps
Lesley Klim (UNAM) 15 caps
Le Roux Malan (New England Free Jacks, US) uncapped
Justin Newman (Kudus) 16 caps
PJ Walters (Kudus) 4 caps

OUTSIDE BACKS
Alcino Isaacs (UNAM) 3 caps
Lorenzo Louis (UNAM) 1 cap
Warren Ludwig (Wanderers) uncapped
Gerswin Mouton (Wits University, SA) 2 caps
Chad Plato (Kudus) 4 caps
Divan Rossouw (Lions, SA) 3 caps
Darryl Wellman (UNAM) uncapped