Namibia down Tunisia

NAMIBIA’S national rugby team beat Tunisia 18-13 in Tunis at the Stade El Menza and now stand a good chance to qualify for the IRB Rugby World Cup to be staged in New Zealand 2011.

The Welwitschias are expected to host the same nation on November 28 at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, in a match that will decide their fourth entry to the world showpiece.According to the International Rugby Board (IRB)’s website yesterday, five previous meetings between these African rivals had all been won by the respective home side, three of them by the Tunisians.An away win for Namibia could thus prove a confidence-booster ahead of the home leg.In a match dominated by Namibia’s forwards, it was their fullback Chrysander Botha who got off to a flying start in the third minute, gathering an exceptional cross-field pass and with an explosion of pace, leaving enough space between him and the chasing Tunisians to score under the posts.Having converted his try, the visitors settled down quickly with a 7-0 lead.If the home team were rattled by the ease with which Botha seared through their defence, they regrouped quickly under the leadership of Hedi Souid and won a series of penalty kicks, which saw the score close to 7-6 midway through the first half.The teams went in at half time at 10-6, both knowing they had missed opportunities to add to their tally, Tunisia driving forward with speed but unable to cross the line and allowing Namibia to kick a penalty just before the whistle.Namibia had been dominant in the scrum for much of the first half, their experience and power reflected in their ability to halt Tunisia’s progress.However, if Namibia’s first try was one of pace and agility, their second was born from power and perseverance as they worked the Tunisia defensive line to force an opening deep in the corner.The conversion was missed, but Namibia looked comfortable at 15-6 midway through the second half.Namibia, though, showed their big-match experience, having graced the rugby World Cup stage three times before, and stole a penalty kick in the 77th minute to break their duck on Tunisian soil. – Additional Reporting by the IRB website