Namibian squad to face Italy
The Namibian rugby selectors yesterday announced a strong squad to take on Italy in a test match at the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The team shows five changes to last weekend’s starting lineup that lost 59-19 to the Pumas, while the pack of forwards has been strengthened with further reinforcements from abroad having joined the squad.
The veteran Cheetahs prop, Aranos Coetzee, who has represented Namibia at three world cups, is back in the team as is his Cheetahs teammate and hooker, Louis van der Westhuizen, who has also been to three world cups. They replace Jason Benade and Armand Combrinck, who both move to the bench.
Johan Retief, who has represented Namibia at two world cups and currently plays in Russia, comes in at lock in place of Ruan Ludick, who moves to the bench, while the latter’s younger brother, Adriaan Ludick, replaces Oliver Kurz at lock.
The rest of the pack shows a lot of experience with the loose trio of captain Prince! Gaoseb, Max Katjijeko and Adriaan Booysen all having represented Namibia at the world cup.
Amongst the backs, Tiaan Swanepoel of the Lions in South Africa, who represented Namibia at the 2023 world cup, comes in at flyhalf in place of Andre van der Berg, with the latter moving to fullback in place of Cliven Loubser.
The only other change sees Alcino Izaacs returning at centre in place of Danie van der Merwe, who moves to right wing.
The speedy Jacques Theron remains at scrumhalf, while Danco Burger, Jurgen Meyer and Danie van der Merwe, who all had promising performances against the Pumas, remain in the starting lineup.
The Namibia Rugby Union, meanwhile, announced that Darryl de la Harpe has been appointed as a technical assistant to the national team following the resignation of Chrysander Botha as head coach due to work commitments. De la Harpe will assist Namibia’s director of rugby, Jacques Burger, who is also acting head coach.
The Namibian squad is as follows:
Andre van der Berg, Danie van der Merwe, Alcino Izaacs, Danco Burger, Jurgen Meyer, Tiaan Swanepoel, Jacques Theron, Adriaan Booysen, Max Katjijeko, Prince! Gaoseb, Johan Retief, Adriaan Ludick, Aranos Coetzee, Louis van der Westhuizen, Haitembi Shikufa.
Substitutes: Armand Combrinck, Jason Benade, Sidney Halupe, Ruan Ludick, Johan Luttig, Peter Diergaardt, Oela Blaauw, Quirione Majiedt.
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