Pride of the nation
Namibia's 31-man Japan Rugby World Cup squad will be led by Johan Deysel and includes a blend of youth and experience.
Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) president Corrie Mensah yesterday announced the Namibian squad that will compete at the Japan Rugby World Cup, which kicks off on 20 September.
The squad is largely made up of a youthful players, who will be eyeing Namibia's first win at the global spectacle.
They will be competing against Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada in Pool B.
Mensah urged the nation to get behind the players and head coach Phil Davies. He also congratulated the players for winning a warm-up match ahead of the prestigious tournament. They beat the Southern Kings 28-22 this past Saturday at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
Mensah added the feud between the NRU and its business arm, Namibia Rugby Limited, has been resolved and that everyone is looking forward to great rugby in Japan.
Namibia will play another warm-up match in Walvis Bay this coming weekend against the same opponents, before leaving for Japan on 12 September. This past weekend's win was a great boost for the squad, despite the fact that some regulars were missing.
Chrysander Botha, who has the record for the most tries for his country, is a noticeable omission from the World Cup squad. Casper Viviers, who has 37 caps and went to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, is apparently not in-shape, while Oderich Mouton is injured. Gino Wilson had a knee operation last year and did not recover in time to launch a proper challenge to regain his spot on the wing. Other players who didn't make the cut are PW Steenkamp, Ruan Ludick and his younger brother Adriaan. In addition, experienced player Mahepisa Tjeriko announced his departure from rugby, citing injury woes.
“It is with deep sorrow that I announce my departure from the beautiful game that I had fallen in love with so deeply. I had the pleasure of playing with a lot of my mates and people who became mates along the way. The time has arrived for me to move onto the next adventure in my life.
“Unfortunately injuries have gotten the better of me after years of continuous battles. I will miss the memories; the moments in battle. But mostly, I will miss the boys I stood by in times of battle.
“Good luck at this year's World Cup, Team Namibia; the dream remains the same, just with different faces,” Mahepisa Tjeriko said.
Winger Renaldo Bothma also used his social media platform to announce his retirement from international rugby, with immediate effect.
He said he is excited about the new season with the Harlequins, an English rugby union team.
Davies said it's very difficult to call-up players and inform them that they haven't made the cut, but it had to be done. He said they had a strong group of players to select from and that in itself gave them sleepless nights.
“It is difficult to leave people out, but you have to find a balance that you believe can form combinations on the field and get good results, and that is what we have done. We wish Bothma all the best for the future,” he said.
Davies also congratulated the 50-player training squad, as they put in a lot of work and commitment.
He added they believe they have a team that can put in great performances in Japan.
Namibia will appear for the sixth successive time at the Rugby World Cup, but are yet to win a game at the tournament, losing all 19 of their matches so far. The team has received a N$13.179 million injection from government through the ministry of sport.
The team will be captained by Johan Deysel, with Tjiuee Uanivi as vice-captain.
The Japan World Cup squad is as follows:
Forwards
Andre Rademeyer, Nelius Theron, Desiderius Sethie, AJ de Klerk, Johannes Coetzee, Obert Nortje, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Tjiuee Uanivi, Johan Retief, Thomasau Forbes, Rohan Kitshoff, Max Katjijeko, Prince !Gaoseb, Wian Conradie, PJ van Lill, Adriaan Booysen and Janco Venter .
Backs
Cliven Loubser, Helarius Kisting, Damian Stevens, Eugene Jantjies, Darryl de la Harpe, Johan Deysel, Justin Newman, JC Greyling, Johann Tromp, Chad Plato, Lesley Klim, Janry du Toit and PJ Walters.
[email protected]
LIMBA MUPETAMI
The squad is largely made up of a youthful players, who will be eyeing Namibia's first win at the global spectacle.
They will be competing against Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada in Pool B.
Mensah urged the nation to get behind the players and head coach Phil Davies. He also congratulated the players for winning a warm-up match ahead of the prestigious tournament. They beat the Southern Kings 28-22 this past Saturday at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
Mensah added the feud between the NRU and its business arm, Namibia Rugby Limited, has been resolved and that everyone is looking forward to great rugby in Japan.
Namibia will play another warm-up match in Walvis Bay this coming weekend against the same opponents, before leaving for Japan on 12 September. This past weekend's win was a great boost for the squad, despite the fact that some regulars were missing.
Chrysander Botha, who has the record for the most tries for his country, is a noticeable omission from the World Cup squad. Casper Viviers, who has 37 caps and went to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, is apparently not in-shape, while Oderich Mouton is injured. Gino Wilson had a knee operation last year and did not recover in time to launch a proper challenge to regain his spot on the wing. Other players who didn't make the cut are PW Steenkamp, Ruan Ludick and his younger brother Adriaan. In addition, experienced player Mahepisa Tjeriko announced his departure from rugby, citing injury woes.
“It is with deep sorrow that I announce my departure from the beautiful game that I had fallen in love with so deeply. I had the pleasure of playing with a lot of my mates and people who became mates along the way. The time has arrived for me to move onto the next adventure in my life.
“Unfortunately injuries have gotten the better of me after years of continuous battles. I will miss the memories; the moments in battle. But mostly, I will miss the boys I stood by in times of battle.
“Good luck at this year's World Cup, Team Namibia; the dream remains the same, just with different faces,” Mahepisa Tjeriko said.
Winger Renaldo Bothma also used his social media platform to announce his retirement from international rugby, with immediate effect.
He said he is excited about the new season with the Harlequins, an English rugby union team.
Davies said it's very difficult to call-up players and inform them that they haven't made the cut, but it had to be done. He said they had a strong group of players to select from and that in itself gave them sleepless nights.
“It is difficult to leave people out, but you have to find a balance that you believe can form combinations on the field and get good results, and that is what we have done. We wish Bothma all the best for the future,” he said.
Davies also congratulated the 50-player training squad, as they put in a lot of work and commitment.
He added they believe they have a team that can put in great performances in Japan.
Namibia will appear for the sixth successive time at the Rugby World Cup, but are yet to win a game at the tournament, losing all 19 of their matches so far. The team has received a N$13.179 million injection from government through the ministry of sport.
The team will be captained by Johan Deysel, with Tjiuee Uanivi as vice-captain.
The Japan World Cup squad is as follows:
Forwards
Andre Rademeyer, Nelius Theron, Desiderius Sethie, AJ de Klerk, Johannes Coetzee, Obert Nortje, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Tjiuee Uanivi, Johan Retief, Thomasau Forbes, Rohan Kitshoff, Max Katjijeko, Prince !Gaoseb, Wian Conradie, PJ van Lill, Adriaan Booysen and Janco Venter .
Backs
Cliven Loubser, Helarius Kisting, Damian Stevens, Eugene Jantjies, Darryl de la Harpe, Johan Deysel, Justin Newman, JC Greyling, Johann Tromp, Chad Plato, Lesley Klim, Janry du Toit and PJ Walters.
[email protected]
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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