Welwitschias withdraw

LIMBA MUPETAMI The Welwitschias, who were due to play the Down Touch Griffons on Saturday at the Hage Geingob Stadium in their opening Currie Cup first division match, have withdrawn from the competition.The home side had agreed to pay for the travelling expenses of South African sides, in line with common rugby practices, but could no longer afford to do that, prompting their decision to withdraw.According to TimesLIVE, South Africa’s rugby unions are feeling the financial pinch and cannot afford to play games in Windhoek at their own expense. The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) claimed it had sourced funds and had an estimated N$900 000 budget for the Welwitschias’ three home Currie Cup games.NRU chief executive Mervyn Green said global governing body, World Rugby, would assist financially‚ but this funding has clearly since fallen through the mat.On Friday the NRU did an about-turn and told SA Rugby they are pulling out of the tournament.“It’s unfortunate that the Namibian team had to withdraw from the Currie Cup first division‚ but our decision was that they have to pay for teams to travel to Windhoek for their home games‚ which they agreed to do‚” SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said.“We’ve since been informed that they can’t do that anymore and that the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias will withdraw from the competition‚ which means that all remaining teams will now have a bye on the weekend where they were scheduled to play the Namibians.”TimesLIVE also reported that SA Rugby had declared huge financial losses in their last two annual audits and cannot continue to play the role of benefactor to the entire region and continent, when their own unions are all in varying degrees of financial strife.The news website also reported that for years SA Rugby has funded matches in Namibia‚ as well the Welwitschias’ trips to the neighbouring country. It has also assisted the continental body‚ Rugby Africa.But when South Africa was in line to be named the preferred bidder for the 2023 Rugby World Cup‚ Rugby Africa gave its vote to France‚ so there is understandable aggravation in terms of a cash-strapped SA Rugby continuing to fund rugby in the region.Rugby lover Paul Smith said that it was unfortunate that the Griffons match could not take place and that Namibia had to withdraw from the tournament at a time the players need to take advantage of every competition to remain fit.Eight teams were set to compete in the Currie Cup first division tournament, which included the Welwitschias.The Namibians were hoping to improve on their past performances.The Griffons were looking to build on their performances last season, which saw them winning the competition. -Additional reporting by TimesLIVE

Welwitschias withdraw

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-07-23

Please login to leave a comment

Welwitschias withdraw

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-07-23

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content