Welwitschias out to tackle Bulls
Rugby fans can expected an electric match tomorrow as two teams desperate to register points in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge meet at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias are up against the odds when they face possibly one of the strongest teams in the group, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, tomorrow at 15:00.
On paper, the Blue Bulls are the hot favourites, given that the Namibians have played second fiddle to the South Africans whenever they have met.
The last time the two teams clashed, the Bulls humiliated the Welwitschias 95-12 in Pretoria.
However, the positive news for the Welwitschias is that the Blue Bulls did not start the season well, seeing that they lost 23-31 to Pumas last weekend.
The Namibian team are still licking their wounds after their 50-33 defeat against Valke.
The home-ground crowd is also likely to play its part in order to keep the atmosphere as hostile as possible for the visitors.
Welwitschias coach Lyn Jones has made it clear that his intention is not to win the competition, but he would love to see his players improve as the tournament progresses.
The pressure is mounting on the Welshman, as many local fans expect him to turn around the team’s fortunes given his coaching experience.
It will be Jones’s first competitive match in front of the home fans.
The roaring Namibian crowd is likely to inspire the home team to push harder for tries and conversions.
The Welwitschias are likely to rely on the presence of right wing Lesley Klim, left winger Gino Wilson, Theuns Kotzé, scrumhalf Eugene Jantjies and eighth man Leneve Damens, who all scored tries last weekend.
The team will have to improve their conversion kicks, seeing that they missed a few in the last game.
Missing from last week’s game is lock Maharua Katjiteo, who did not even make it to the bench.
Assistant coach JP Nell has expressed confidence in the team, stating that the players have shown that they can compete with top teams.
He feels that going into the match with the right attitude can earn them a famous victory against the South African side.
Teams
Starting line-up: David Philander, Lesley Klim, JC Greyling, Darryl de la Harpe, Gino Wilson, Theuns Kotzé, Eugene Jantjies (c),Leneve Damens ,Thomasau Forbes, Rohan Kitshoff, Ruan Ludick, Muniovita Kasiringua, AJ de Klerk, Shaun du Preez, Christo McNish.
Subs: Gerhard Lotter, Collen Smit, Andries Rousseau, Mahepisa Tjeriko, Thomas Kali, Cameron Klassen, Heinrich Smit.
Vodacom Blue Bulls: Divan Rossouw, Jade Stighling, Ulrich Beyers, Franco Naude, Rabs Maxwane, Tony Jantjies, Ivan van Zyl, Clyde Davids, Abongile Nonkontwana (capt), Marco van Staden, Aston Fortuin, Freddy Ngoza, Andrew Beerwinkel, Corniel Els, Njabulo Gumede.
Reserves: Alandre van Rooyen, Matthys Basson, Brian Leitch, Chris Massyn, André Warner, Joshua Stander, Duncan Matthews.
What the coach said (Lyn Jones): “Success is the plan and we are working together as a young team of coaches and players to achieve more. The only thing which will stop us is our fitness, but there is no doubt that we will win the match.”
The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias are up against the odds when they face possibly one of the strongest teams in the group, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, tomorrow at 15:00.
On paper, the Blue Bulls are the hot favourites, given that the Namibians have played second fiddle to the South Africans whenever they have met.
The last time the two teams clashed, the Bulls humiliated the Welwitschias 95-12 in Pretoria.
However, the positive news for the Welwitschias is that the Blue Bulls did not start the season well, seeing that they lost 23-31 to Pumas last weekend.
The Namibian team are still licking their wounds after their 50-33 defeat against Valke.
The home-ground crowd is also likely to play its part in order to keep the atmosphere as hostile as possible for the visitors.
Welwitschias coach Lyn Jones has made it clear that his intention is not to win the competition, but he would love to see his players improve as the tournament progresses.
The pressure is mounting on the Welshman, as many local fans expect him to turn around the team’s fortunes given his coaching experience.
It will be Jones’s first competitive match in front of the home fans.
The roaring Namibian crowd is likely to inspire the home team to push harder for tries and conversions.
The Welwitschias are likely to rely on the presence of right wing Lesley Klim, left winger Gino Wilson, Theuns Kotzé, scrumhalf Eugene Jantjies and eighth man Leneve Damens, who all scored tries last weekend.
The team will have to improve their conversion kicks, seeing that they missed a few in the last game.
Missing from last week’s game is lock Maharua Katjiteo, who did not even make it to the bench.
Assistant coach JP Nell has expressed confidence in the team, stating that the players have shown that they can compete with top teams.
He feels that going into the match with the right attitude can earn them a famous victory against the South African side.
Teams
Starting line-up: David Philander, Lesley Klim, JC Greyling, Darryl de la Harpe, Gino Wilson, Theuns Kotzé, Eugene Jantjies (c),Leneve Damens ,Thomasau Forbes, Rohan Kitshoff, Ruan Ludick, Muniovita Kasiringua, AJ de Klerk, Shaun du Preez, Christo McNish.
Subs: Gerhard Lotter, Collen Smit, Andries Rousseau, Mahepisa Tjeriko, Thomas Kali, Cameron Klassen, Heinrich Smit.
Vodacom Blue Bulls: Divan Rossouw, Jade Stighling, Ulrich Beyers, Franco Naude, Rabs Maxwane, Tony Jantjies, Ivan van Zyl, Clyde Davids, Abongile Nonkontwana (capt), Marco van Staden, Aston Fortuin, Freddy Ngoza, Andrew Beerwinkel, Corniel Els, Njabulo Gumede.
Reserves: Alandre van Rooyen, Matthys Basson, Brian Leitch, Chris Massyn, André Warner, Joshua Stander, Duncan Matthews.
What the coach said (Lyn Jones): “Success is the plan and we are working together as a young team of coaches and players to achieve more. The only thing which will stop us is our fitness, but there is no doubt that we will win the match.”
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