Namibia; Ambassador of African Rugby
Since 1999, the Namibian XV has represented Africa (South Africa excepted) at the greatest Rugby event in the world. Although they have never won a match, the Namibians have definitely made progress.
The statistics are harsh. From two Rugby World Cups, Namibia has succumbed to seven defeats and not one victory and it holds the record for the highest number of points scored against a Team (496 points from two tournaments) which is compounded by the crushing 142-0 defeat by Australia in 2003. However figures are not the only thing that count. The former south-African province, that won independence in 1990, has done far better that Zimbabwe and the Ivory Coast in qualifying for three consecutive Rugby World Cup Tournaments.
After having beaten Morocco, Johan Venter’s Team will play in pool D at the Rugby World Cup against Teams Namibia has come up against in the past: France (1999), Argentina and Ireland (2003). Namibia’s aim in 2007 will not be to defeat another Team for the first time, which seems an almost impossible feat looking at the other Teams in pool D, but it will be to show the world how much progress Namibian Rugby has made in the last four years despite their lack of resources. The Welwitschias are real ambassadors of African Rugby. Their game is undergoing massive changes as inspired by their Springbok neighbours and the Namibian performance at Rugby World Cup 2007 should serve as a real reminder that we should support this type of Rugby development.
Colours: |
Blue jersey, midnight blue short, red socks |
Emblem: |
The eagle |
National Anthem: |
Namibia, Land of the Brave |
Official IRB World Ranking (November 2006): |
23rd |
Rugby World Cup record: |
Did not compete 1987, 1991 and 1995 Eliminated in the pool phase in 1999 and 2003
70 points scored, 496 points conceded |
Head Coach: |
Johan Venter |
Squad Member List: |
Melrick John Africa, Johannes Heinrich Bock, Jacques Burger, Tinus du Plessis, Nico Esterhuyse, Hugo Horn, Domingo Josef Kamonga, Bradley Cornell Langenhoven, Herman Dirk Lintvelt, Michael Valentine MacKenzie, Arrie Deon Mouton, Johannes Hermanus Redelinghuys, Morne’ Schreuder, Jurie Hendrik van Tonder, Marius Visser, Ryan Carter Witbooi, Rudolf Scheepers Badenhorst, Lu- Wayne Botes, John Heindrich Drotsky, Johannes Albertus Du Toit, du Preez Grobler, Eugene Anthony Jantjies, uakazuwaka Kazombiaze, Gideon Lensing, Tertius Claude Losper, Johannes Michiel Meyer, Jacques Nieuwenhuis, Jacqueline Retief, Johannes Hendrik Senekal, Willem Petrus van Zyl, Emile Wessels |
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