NSSR semi-finals set for blockbuster weekend

The Namibia Secondary Schools Rugby (NSSR) leagues, sponsored by My Zone, reach a thrilling climax this weekend as schools from across the country head to the Dr Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek for the 2025 semi-finals. Action kicks off on Friday morning and continues on Saturday, with matches across all age groups from U14 to U19.The opening day will showcase the younger divisions, including clashes between Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool, Windhoek High School, Curro Windhoek Gymnasium, Pro-Ed Akademie and Dr Lemmer. The day will wrap up with an exciting U19B contest (WHS II vs Dr Lemmer I).The Saturday program belongs mostly to the senior teams, with the two U19 Super League semi-finals taking centre stage.The first semi-final sees King Price Windhoek Gymnasium Lions taking on the OK Foods Moria Bears. Gymnasium came out on top 32-20 when the two sides met at the former’s Lions Den stadium on 9 August, but Moria will be determined to upset the favourites when it matters most. The Outjo team remains unchanged from the combination that beat Namib Diesel Walvis Bay Private School’s Naartjies 34-18 in a crucial encounter at their Doringlaagte field last weekend.In the second semi-final, the Samsung Windhoek High School Kudu Bulls will meet Compack Tsumeb Gymnasium.Title holders WHS sailed through the league phase unbeaten, also defeating Tsumeb 28-20 during their visit to the north on 9 August. Head coach Jan Dames has a full squad at his disposal and has made no changes to the team that beat De Duinesig 50-0 at the coast last weekend.Tsumeb will be without injured stalwarts such as fly-half Pedri Lacante (concussion), flank ?Carel Kruger (concussion) and wing Dondre Pretorius (shoulder ligament injury), but will be striving for a repeat of their 2019 appearance in the national U19 final.Saturday’s U19 Super League semi-finalist teams, as received at the time of going to print:OK FOODS MORIA BEARS15 Franko Engelbrecht (captain), 14 Ruan Brand, 13 Bertus Narib, 12 Jano Erasmus, 11 Drikus Maartens, 10 Jurian Dreyer, 9 Du Rand Louw, 8 Armand Esterhuizen, 7 Ben Mostert, 6 Keyo Kruger, 5 Alexander Bertelsmann, 4 Romario Hoeseb, 3 Wian Maartens, 2 William Pienaar, 1 Johan Gabrielsen.Bench: Meyer Laubscher, Uri Muhenje, Janco Schlechter, Henro Anthonissen, HD von Wielligh, Wynand Olivier, Glorius Haradoëb, Jazario Drotsky. Coaches: Reino du Toit, TW Koorts, Pieter Willem Esterhuizen, Herman Grobler.KING PRICE WINDHOEK GYMNASIUM15 Jadrian Jansen, 14 Oliver Seager, 13 Pieter-Stephan Stassen, 12 JD Jankowitz, 11 Handre Cocklin, 10 John D Meintjies, 9 ?Jan Daniël de Villiers, 8 ?Vincent Scholtz (captain), 7 ?Lihan Horn, 6 Fourie Steyn, 5 ?Curnal Beukes, 4 ?Buhlem Oelofsen, 3 ?Gert Pretorius, 2 ?Jayvin du Plessis, 1 Rudolph Harmse.Bench: 16 DJ Gouws, 17 ?Dirk Badenhorst, 18 ?Adriaan? Schoeman, 19 ?Adrian Opperman, 20 ?Janru Greeff, 21 ?Evin Dreyer, 22 ?Mathew Raubenheimer , 23 ?Alonso du Toit. Coaches: Mauritz Thirion, Jaco Engels, Vincent Dreyer.SAMSUNG WINDHOEK HIGH SCHOOL KUDU BULLS15 William Beukes, 14 Xavier Bampton, 13 Ethan Sinden, 12 Ignatius Kandowa, 11 Steven van Wyk, 10 Mc-Rein van Wyk, 9 Dominique Isaacs, 8 Pieter-Jan Strydom (captain), 7 Lorenzo Awaseb, 6 Isaiah Kazondovi, 5 Keanan Louw, 4 Praise Kamonga, 3 Jadin Bock, 2 Carel Louw, 1 Cashton Cloete.Bench: Xander Campbell, Dawid Ludick, Stephan Pretorius, Keathan Klazen, Delarey de Klerk, Damian Klein, Caleb Buys, Luthando van Wyk. Coaches: Jan Dames and Devano AlcockCOMPACK TSUMEB GYMNASIUM15 FJ Fourie, 14 Dondre Pretorius, 13 Ngathu Nghidishange, 12 Jean Devenish (vice-captain), 11 Bradley Kabende, 10 Carlo Lacante, 9 Charl Cilliers, 8 Russel Bartlett (captain), 7 Poen Sakaria, 6 Jaun van Wyk, 5 Emile Kuhn, 4 Willem Nel, 3 Jurick van der Berg, 2 Pieter Potgieter, 1 Juan Brits.Bench: Casper Oosthuizen, CJ Button, Gary Wessels, Grant Ras, Christiaan Kriel. Coaches: Wouter Niehaus and Francois van Zyl (biokineticist).NSSR chairman Ainsley Daniels said: “We are thrilled for the semi-finals. While it will be a busy weekend of matches, this is grassroots rugby, these boys are the future of Namibian rugby, dreaming of representing the country one day. We look forward to welcoming everyone and encourage fans to come out and support the players.”With the pride of their schools at stake, the NSSR semi-finals promise thrilling action for players, schools, and fans alike.

NSSR semi-finals set for blockbuster weekend

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-14

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NSSR semi-finals set for blockbuster weekend

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-14

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