Allister’s men prepare for tough Zim challenge
11 tries to one against Burkina Faso
Torsten van Jaarsveld scored a hat-trick of tries in his memorable first match as captain of Namibia, one day after his 35th birthday.
Head rugby coach Allister Coetzee is hopeful for a fully fit squad to consider for Namibia’s vital semi-final clash against Zimbabwe in the southern French city of Aix-en-Provence on Wednesday night.
Debutant left wing Divan Rossouw suffered a contusion after a knock to the knee during Friday night’s 71-5 win against Burkina Faso in Marseilles.
“No ligaments seem to have been damaged, so we remain hopeful that Divan could be ready for our next match. We came through the match without any other serious injuries. Torsten van Jaarsveld and Johan Retief got hit with fingers to the eye, but the end result was not too serious.”
Fly half Cliven Loubser was named player of the match following the opening win against Burkina Faso, the lowest ranked of Rugby Africa’s eight contenders in the current tournament.
Although not a faultless performance yet, the Namibians vividly displayed their determination to hold onto the country’s continental qualifying spot for its seventh straight Rugby World Cup. The 2023 edition is set to take place in France.
Impressed
Loubser scored 14 points through seven conversions and was also an attacking threat with his quick feet and accurate ball distribution. His partner at scrum half, Damian Stevens, also impressed with his decision-making.
The Namibians led 24-0 at half-time following two tries each by hooker Van Jaarsveld and full back Lorenzo Louis. Loubser had a hand in both of Louis’ tries, putting him into space.
Van Jaarsveld, who turned 35 the day before and was promoted to captain the side after Johan Deysel was granted leave to be with his heavily pregnant wife, scored his hat-trick try from a line-out maul to put his side 31-0 ahead.
Rossouw capped a solid debut with a try before leaving the field with an injury. More tries followed, scored by replacement hooker Louis van der Westhuizen, right wing JC Greyling (twice), replacement flank Wian Conradie and inside centre Danco Burger. PW Steenkamp, who was sent on as full back, added one conversion.
Zim, Kenya advance
In Friday’s late match, Zimbabwe eliminated a poorly disciplined Ivory Coast team 38-11 in Marseilles.
The Sables led 16-6 at half-time and scored four tries to one.
The well-known flair and speed of Zimbabwe’s backs - including full back Tapiwa Mafura, a recent Currie Cup winner with the Pumas - and right wing Shayne Makumbi, who scored twice, remain perhaps their strongest attacking weapon.
Ivory Coast undermined their effort by copping three yellow cards as well as a red to flank Eugene Nzi.
For his role in the latter incident, Zimbabwe’s replacement loose-forward Aiden Burnett, who had scored a try shortly before, was also sent off with a red card and will therefore not be in contention to play against Namibia.
Meanwhile, in Saturday’s two semi-finals in Aix-en-Provence, Kenya stormed to a confident 42-7 win over neighbours Uganda, before Algeria reached the semi-final for the first time by eliminating Senegal 35-12.
Debutant left wing Divan Rossouw suffered a contusion after a knock to the knee during Friday night’s 71-5 win against Burkina Faso in Marseilles.
“No ligaments seem to have been damaged, so we remain hopeful that Divan could be ready for our next match. We came through the match without any other serious injuries. Torsten van Jaarsveld and Johan Retief got hit with fingers to the eye, but the end result was not too serious.”
Fly half Cliven Loubser was named player of the match following the opening win against Burkina Faso, the lowest ranked of Rugby Africa’s eight contenders in the current tournament.
Although not a faultless performance yet, the Namibians vividly displayed their determination to hold onto the country’s continental qualifying spot for its seventh straight Rugby World Cup. The 2023 edition is set to take place in France.
Impressed
Loubser scored 14 points through seven conversions and was also an attacking threat with his quick feet and accurate ball distribution. His partner at scrum half, Damian Stevens, also impressed with his decision-making.
The Namibians led 24-0 at half-time following two tries each by hooker Van Jaarsveld and full back Lorenzo Louis. Loubser had a hand in both of Louis’ tries, putting him into space.
Van Jaarsveld, who turned 35 the day before and was promoted to captain the side after Johan Deysel was granted leave to be with his heavily pregnant wife, scored his hat-trick try from a line-out maul to put his side 31-0 ahead.
Rossouw capped a solid debut with a try before leaving the field with an injury. More tries followed, scored by replacement hooker Louis van der Westhuizen, right wing JC Greyling (twice), replacement flank Wian Conradie and inside centre Danco Burger. PW Steenkamp, who was sent on as full back, added one conversion.
Zim, Kenya advance
In Friday’s late match, Zimbabwe eliminated a poorly disciplined Ivory Coast team 38-11 in Marseilles.
The Sables led 16-6 at half-time and scored four tries to one.
The well-known flair and speed of Zimbabwe’s backs - including full back Tapiwa Mafura, a recent Currie Cup winner with the Pumas - and right wing Shayne Makumbi, who scored twice, remain perhaps their strongest attacking weapon.
Ivory Coast undermined their effort by copping three yellow cards as well as a red to flank Eugene Nzi.
For his role in the latter incident, Zimbabwe’s replacement loose-forward Aiden Burnett, who had scored a try shortly before, was also sent off with a red card and will therefore not be in contention to play against Namibia.
Meanwhile, in Saturday’s two semi-finals in Aix-en-Provence, Kenya stormed to a confident 42-7 win over neighbours Uganda, before Algeria reached the semi-final for the first time by eliminating Senegal 35-12.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article