Plucky Simbas push Welwitschias close

After surviving a slight late scare with a determined fightback by the Kenya Simbas, the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias will be looking forward to a bye weekend and maximising their two remaining fixtures in the Mzansi Challenge.Saturday’s bonus point win by 35-28 against the Simbas in Windhoek was achieved after the Namibians had built up a 21-0 lead, before the Kenyans systematically levelled the score at 28-28 with 10 minutes to go.The Welwitschias then responded with arguably their most spectacular team try of the year, from just inside their own half, as an enterprising attack to the left saw Danco Burger, JC Greyling and Max Katjijeko each handling the ball twice to break into the Kenyan 22-area. Quick ball was made available for Henrique Olivier, who sent a long pass to the right for Prince !Goaseb, Nico Maartens and Gerswin Mouton to send the overlap Johan Luttig through in the corner. For good measure, Olivier landed the difficult conversion.The Welwitschias team selection, with inside centre Danco Burger moved to fly half to replace the injured André van der Berg, raised some eyebrows among local critics. The left-footed Burger put in a near flawless performance overall with lengthy kicks from hand, accurate ball distribution and succeeding with each of his three kicks at goal. It, however, remains to be seen how far this experiment will be pushed, with specialist operators such as Cliven Loubser, PW Steenkamp and versatile Helarius Kisting still ahead of him for the 10 jersey, while Burger has been a stalwart performer in midfield since last year.Upper handThe Namibian forwards had the upper hand with a high level of physicality, despite the Simbas succeeding in scoring one try from a lineout maul.Mouton at full back scored tries after four and 42 minutes. Left wing Greyling also added two tries, after eight and 15 minutes, and was named player of the match in a smooth return to the top flight after his unexpected retirement announcement last year.A Simbas win in Windhoek (or even a draw) would have been an embarrassment for Namibia and analysis of the four tries conceded will be part of the coaching team’s debriefing.The bonus point win moves the Welwitschias into the top half of the 10-team Mzansi Challenge, surpassing the Boland Kavaliers to now hold the fifth position. The Namibians’ remaining matches will both be at home against the Kavaliers (27 May) and Eastern Province (3 June) before focus will shift to the national team’s World Rugby Nations Cup tour to Uruguay in July.Eastern Province beat the Kavaliers 25-18 in Despatch on Saturday.

Plucky Simbas push Welwitschias close

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

Please login to leave a comment

Plucky Simbas push Welwitschias close

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content