Namibia make sweeping changes

Only five players who started against Italy in Namibia's opening pool match will feature in the run-on 15 against South Africa tomorrow at the City of Toyota Stadium.This is after Namibia's coach Phil Davies made sweeping changes to the team that lost 22-47 to Italy last Sunday. Captain Tjiuee Uanivi, Cliven Loubser, JC Greyling, Chad Plato and Johan Tromp return to the starting line-up for the clash against the Boks. This is the second-highest number of changes the Namibians have made between Rugby World Cup matches - the highest being 11 ahead of their clash against Argentina at the 2015 edition. Peter John Walters, who became the first player since 2011 to make his test debut for Namibia in a World Cup match, when he came on as a replacement against Italy, will start at inside-centre, while Eugene Jantjies will extend his national appearances to a record 68 caps. AJ De Klerk is in the starting 15 of a World Cup match for the first time. He has previously featured in three, while coming off the bench.Rehoboth Rugby Club coach and former player David Philander had nothing but praise for the Namibian team, saying they played exceptionally well when they faced Italy in their opening match.“The team that was fielded played exceptionally against a Six Nations Championship side. The score was also not too bad. The match against the Springboks will now again give a chance to those guys who haven't played yet. There are surely a lot of young guys to pick from,” Philander said.“One thing we want is for the team to be competitive and to let their opponents know that they are just not there to make up the numbers, but to compete.”The Springboks on Wednesday made 13 changes to the side that lost 13-23 to the All Blacks.They will be captained by veteran hooker Schalk Brits, who replaces a benched Siya Kolisi as skipper.Only outside centre Lukhanyo Am and wing Makazole Mapimpi keep their places after the All Blacks match. Herschel Jantjies and Elton Jantjies are the halfback pairing, while the likes of Steven Kitshoff, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe join Kolisi on a high-quality bench. “This gives us an ideal opportunity to rest guys who are vital for us in the big, big games,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who is eyeing a possible quarterfinal clash with in-form Ireland.The Namibian team is as follows: Johan Tromp, Chad Plato, JC Greyling, Peter John Walters, Lesley Klim, Cliven Loubser, Eugene Jantjies, Adriaan Booysen, Muharua Katjijeko, Thomasau Forbes, Tjiuee Uanivi (captain), Johan Retief, AJ de Klerk, Louis van der Westhuizen and Desiderius Sethie.Replacements: Obert Nortje, Andre Rademeyer, Johannes Coetzee, Prince Gaoseb, Janco Venter, Wian Conradie, Helarius Axasman Kisting and Johan Deysel.The Springbok team is as follows: Warrick Gelant; S'Busiso Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Frans Steyn, Makazole Mapimpi; Elton Jantjies, Herschel Jantjies; Schalk Brits (captain), Kwagga Smith, Francois Louw; Lood de Jager, RG Snyman; Vincent Koch, Mbongeni Mbonambi, Tendai MtawariraReplacements: Steven Kitshoff, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Cobus Reinach, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe. -Additional info by Nampa/ANALIMBA MUPETAMI

Namibia make sweeping changes

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-20

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Namibia make sweeping changes

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-20

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