Namibian rugby coach Danie Vermeulen said he was not too happy with their performance on Saturday when they lost 34-24 to the South African Universities, but there were also some positive aspects to take from the match.
“I am quite disappointed with our performance because we set several targets that we did not meet. We made too many mistakes, especially on defence, while there were also too many handling errors. But we had several newcomers and this was our first match together, so that was to be expected,” he said.
Vermeulen said there were also several positive aspects to take from the match.
“I was quite happy with our set pieces, especially the scrums, where we were solid. Collen Smith who made his debut at prop, is still only 20 years old, but I think he did very well. He was up against a strong scrummager in Os Hamman and did very well in his first match,” he said.
Vermeulen was also happy with the ball retention from the kickoffs as well as the lineouts, where Namibia held their own.
“We only lost one of our lineouts and took one off them,” Vermeulen said.
Vermeulen said the team would continue practising in Windhoek before leaving for Madagascar on Sunday, July 1.
The Namibian squad had less than a week to prepare for the match against South Africa Universities, while lock Henk Franken only arrived two days before the match.
Centre Roger Thompson had to leave the field with a knee injury against South African Universities and Vermeulen said he would be assessed before the team leaves for Madagascar.
“Roger received a knock on his knee and had to be replaced. It is not too serious, but we will first assess his fitness before the team’s departure,” he said.
Namibia will play two matches in Madagascar - on Senegal on July 4 and against Morocco or Madagascar on July 9.
The Namibian touring squad is as follows:
Johnny Redelinghuys, Callie Swanepoel, Collen Smith, Henk Franken, Heinz Koll, Tinus du Plessis (captain), Morné Blom, PJ van Lill, Eugene Jantjies (vice captain), Theuns Kotzé, Chrysander Botha, Rodger Thompson, Anthony Jevu, Danie Dames, Justin Nel, Martin Goeieman, Shaun du Preez, Herald Kasera, Petrus Human, Arthur Bouwer, Lean Stoop, Godwin Walters, Herman Ströh and Shaun Esterhuizen.