Welwitschias ready for Recklessbear Barbarians challenge

The Namibia Rugby Union's senior men's national squad, the Welwitschias, are preparing for an exciting two-match encounter against the Recklessbear Barbarians on 18 and 20 November at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek.

The two fixtures present an important opportunity for the Welwitschias to test their preparations, build squad depth and gain valuable match experience against a high-performance invitational side from South Africa.

The Recklessbear Barbarians are known for attacking flair, unpredictability and physical approach. Having completed an intensive six-week preparation camp, they are expected to arrive in Namibia determined to put in strong performances.

For the Welwitschias, the challenge will be to match their opponents physically, maintain discipline in defence and impose their own game plan on home soil.

The upcoming encounters also represent an exciting step towards strengthening rugby development and creating more regular opportunities for high-level competition in Namibia.

Discussions surrounding a proposed 5-year agreement between Recklessbear owner Etienne Viljoen and the NRU could provide greater stability and a structured pathway for future collaboration. The proposed partnership has the potential to extend beyond the senior men's team, with opportunities for the women's programme, U20 teams and younger age groups also being explored.

Early exposure to strong South African opposition would provide Namibian players with valuable experience and contribute to raising the overall standard and depth of the game over the next five years.

The two-match format, with fixtures taking place just three days apart, will also test the Welwitschias' conditioning, squad depth and ability to perform consistently. It will give the coaching staff an opportunity to assess combinations and players under match conditions.

Adding to the occasion, supporters can look forward to an evening of both sevens and 15-a-side rugby, with the Welwitschias 7s team kicking off at 18:00, followed by the Welwitschias XV at 19:00.

The NRU and the Welwitschias squad are calling on supporters, families and the wider Windhoek community to come out in numbers and create an electric atmosphere at the Hage Geingob Stadium.

Fixture Details

Date: Wednesday, 18 November 2026

Date: Friday, 20 November 2026

Venue: Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek

Welwitschias 7s: 18:00

Welwitschias XV: 19:00