Namibia’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup took a blow when they lost 22-15 to Belgium in their opening match on Saturday.
Belgium opened the scoring in the first minute with a try by prop Jean Baptiste De Clerq converted by flyhalf Matias Remue, while a Remue penalty put them 10-0 ahead after 16 minutes.
Another try by scrumhalf Julien Berger, converted by Remue put them 17-0 10 minutes later, while Namibia could only open their account with a penalty by flyhalf Andre van der Berg late in the first half.
Namibia came back strongly in the second half, but could not round off their attacks and Belgium went 22-3 ahead when flanker Jean Maurice Decubber went over from a maul.
Substitute forward Johan Luttig finally scored Namibia’s first try, barging over from a maul, with Cliven Loubser converting, while Johan Deysel touched down in injury time to make the final score 22-15, and give Namibia a bit of hope with a bonus point for losing within seven points.
Belgium and Samoa, who beat Brazil 48-10 earlier today, have now taken the lead in the tournament.
Namibia’s next match is against Samoa on Thursday, 13 October.
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