Russia were too strong for Namibia in their Rugby Test match in Windhoek on Saturday afternoon, running out 30-15 victors, after leading 17-5 at the break. Russian scrumhalf Alexander Yanyushkin had a great game, scoring 15 points with the boot as well as a great try for a personal tally of 20 points, while flyhalf Yuri Kushnarev and centre Mikail Babaev each scored a try.
For Namibia, lock Wacca Kazombiaze scored a great try, while substitute scrumhalf Eniel Buitendag scored a second try deep into injury time, but by then the result was beyond doubt. Fullback Chrysander Botha added a conversion and a penalty.
In cool and cloudy conditions, Russia went onto the offensive from the start and left wing Alexander Gvozdovskiy was bundled into touch a metre from the line in the opening minute.
Russia camped in Namibia’s 25m area, launching attack after attack, and finally broke through when right wing Vasily Artemyev cut the line and sent Kushnarev over for a try behind the posts.
Yanyushkin added the conversion as well as a penalty soon after, but Namibian flyhalf Emile Wessels struggled with his kicks, missing two penalty attempts.
Namibia finally opened their account through a great try by lock Wacca Kazombiaze on 35minutes. Centre David Philander launched a counter attack with a darting run from his own half and linked up with Eugene Jantjies who sent Kazombiaze tearing away for a great try that brought the house down.
Namibia’s euphoria was however shortlived as Russia once again took play deep into Namibian territory and battered away at Namibia’s defence with relentless forward drives. Their pressure paid off just before halftime when Babaev broke through for a try converted by Yayushkin.
Namibian fullback Chrysander Botha took over the kicking duties in the second half and gave Namibia brief hope when he succeeded with a penalty.
Yanyushkin however added another penalty on 52 minutes to put Russia 20-8 ahead, and then effectively sealed the match with a great try four minutes later. Eighthman Andrey Temnov started an attack in his own half, sending his backline away at high speed, before Yanyushkin rounded the move off with a try behind the posts, which he converted as well.
Yanyushkin stretched Russia’s lead with a penalty, but the match degenerated a bit as Kushnarev and Namibian left wing Wally Winckler were both sin binned for foul play.
Namibia pushed hard in the final stages and added a second try deep in injury time when Philander broke through to send replacement scrumhalf Eniel Buitendag over behind the posts, with Botha adding the conversion.
The result will give cause for concern to national coach Johan Diergaardt, since Namibia were thoroughly outplayed. They held their own in the set pieces, winning their fair share of possession in the lineouts and scrums, but their backline seemed devoid of ideas and lacked penetration, and seldom troubled Russia’s defence.
Namibia's standout player was centre Philander, who initiated both Namibia's tries with his darting runs, while Kazombiaze, PJ van Lill and Johnny Redelinghuys were prominent amongst the forwards.
For Russia, Yanyushkin was Russia's star player, while the loose forwards Andrey Temnov and Victor Gresev excelled on the attack and defence.