'Learning curve' continues

The fifth-placed Valke will head into tomorrow's SuperSport Rugby Challenge match against the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias as firm favourites.Nobody expects the Namibians to put up a meaningful challenge, given that their first-choice players are currently in Uruguay for the World Rugby Nations Cup, where they lost 25-39 to Argentina earlier this week.The Welwitschias go into the last match of their SuperSport Rugby Challenge season after a string of dismissal performances, with not much light at the end of the tunnel. They are yet to record a win, after consistently being thumped, and have been occupying the bottom of the log since the competition kicked off. Johan Diergaardt, who is in charge of the Namibian team, said everyone should remain positive as it is a learning curve for the players. “The matches have allowed the players to measure themselves and to see where they stand. It is a wake-up call for all of us, as the players need strength and conditioning,” he said.Diergaardt added that most of the players are aged between 21 and 22 and that critics should stop looking at the scoreboard, but rather the opportunity presented for growth and development.The Namibian team is using the SuperSport Rugby Challenge as preparation for the 2019 Japan Rugby World Cup.However, they have been anything but convincing and will probably breathe a sigh of relieve that their participation in the tournament is now at an end.They were defeated 40-23 by the Golden Lions in their opening match. In their second match they suffered another defeat to the Bulls (21-87). In their third match, Griquas defeated them 24-61. Their fourth match was no different, even though it was a closely contested one against the Griffons, who won 34-24.In their fifth match, the Leopards whipped the Namibians 81-8. Their sixth match last weekend saw log leaders, the ISG Pumas, running riot against the Namibians (106-0). LIMBA MUPETAMI

'Learning curve' continues

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-24

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'Learning curve' continues

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-24

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