Namibia’s national rugby team faces a tough test when they take on Russia in a test match at the Hage Geingob Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Namibia Rugby Union organised the match to help Namibia prepare for the upcoming Vodacom Cup competition in South Africa, where Namibia will compete for the first time since 2002.
The Russians have not qualified for the Rugby World Cup yet, but they have improved considerably over the past few years and are currently ranked higher than Namibia. Russia is currently ranked 18th in the world, while Namibia is ranked 22nd, according to the latest IRB rankings which were issued on January 18.
In Rugby World Cup qualifying matches last year, Russia beat Portugal 18-14 and Romania 28-19 away, before they lost 29-21 against Georgia.
Russia has been touring South Africa over the past few weeks and on Monday provided some tough opposition to the Blue Bulls U21 team, before going down 28-21.
Namibia has not met Russia before, but they have played against mutual opponents over the past few years.
In November last year Namibia beat Portugal 12-9 in a test match in Lisbon, and at the 2007 World Cup Namibia lost 30-0 to Georgia. In the same year, Namibia lost 28-16 to Romania in an IRB Nations Cup match.
Saturday’s match will see the young flankers Thomasau Forbes and Andre Vermeulen making their debuts for the national team, while scrumhalf Eniel Buitendach and centre Darryl de la Harpe have been called up to the bench.
Namibia’s European based professionals like Kees Lensing, Jacques Burger, Jacques Nieuwenhuis and Tinus du Plessis have not been released by their clubs, but Namibia’s South African based professionals have been called up. They include hooker Hugo Horn, lock Nico Esterhuizen and props Marius Visser and Jane du Toit.
The match is scheduled to start at 16h00 on Saturday while the entrance fee is N$20 per person.
The Namibian team is as follows:
Johnny Redelinghuis, Hugo Horn, Jane Du Toit, Wacca Kazombiaze, Nico Esterhuizen, Andre Vermeulen, Tomashu Forbes, P.J. Van Lill, Eugene Jantjies, Emile Wessels, Wally Winkler, Dawid Philander, Bradley Langenhoven, McGrath van Wyk, Chrysander Botha.
Reserves:
Shaun Esterhuizen, Marius Visser, Heinz Koll, Renaud Van Neel, Eniel Buitendach, Tinus Venter and Daryl De La Harpe.