Powerful Pumas loom large

The Welwitschias’ preparations for next month’s Africa Cup intensify when they face the Airlink Pumas at the Hage Geingob Stadium tomorrow afternoon. 

It will be the Welwitschias’ second preparatory match after they narrowly beat Uganda 22-19 last weekend, and it will certainly provide a tough challenge for the Namibians.

The Pumas have excelled in the South African Currie Cup competition in recent years, winning the trophy for the first time in 2022 when they beat the Griquas 26-19 in the final. 

The following year, they thumped the Welwitschias 81-8 in the inaugural Airlink Cup, and although they only finished sixth in the Currie Cup last year, they have one of the top coaches in SA in Jimmy Stonehouse, and a strong squad that includes two Namibian players, lock Tiaan de Klerk and outside back Jay-Cee Nel. According to reports, they are needed by the Pumas and form part of their pre-season training squad, so they are not available for Namibia at this stage.

The Namibian team shows a few changes from the one that beat Uganda, with experienced backline players Cliven Loubser and Andre van der Berg called up into the starting line-up after they both completed their professional campaigns in the United States and France, respectively.

Loubser replaces Ashton Muukwilongo, who made his debut against Uganda, while Van der Berg replaces another debutant, Godwin Silvanus, who was injured against Uganda and replaced by Danco Burger. 

Burger, who scored 15 points against Uganda as well as the winning penalty, moves back to centre to partner the experienced Alcino Izaacs, while the rest of the starting line-up remains the same and will once again be captained by flanker Prince !Gaoseb.

Namibia’s director of rugby, Jacques Burger, has meanwhile taken over the role of head coach after the resignation of Chrysander Botha due to work commitments, and said he is still learning the ropes.

“It’s a big challenge, but we had to quickly make a plan after Chrysander’s resignation. My appointment as coach is just temporary till the qualifying rounds for the World Cup,” he said.

“However, I have a lot of confidence in my team; there’s a very positive atmosphere in the squad. There are a lot of good people together, and it’s the same as in the business world; if you have good people around you, you will normally reach your goals,” he said.

“Darryl de la Harpe has also joined the coaching staff; he has a lot of experience, having played at three World Cups, and he is very dedicated and passionate and puts a lot of time and effort into his role,” he added.

Burger, however, called for patience, saying that the result was not important. 

“The result is not so important at this stage. We are busy building something and working on a squad for the Africa Championships, so there is still a lot of fine-tuning to take place.

“The Pumas are a top professional side, and they gave the Welwitschias a big hiding the last time they met. They have a strong pack of forwards and a powerful rolling maul, so we are expecting a strong forward challenge,” he added.

The match kicks off at 15:00 tomorrow and will be preceded by the First Division final between Oranjemund and Etosha Lions at 12:00.

The Namibia Welwitschias squad is as follows:
15 Cliven Loubser (Anthem Rugby Carolina, USA), 14 Danie van der Merwe (Wanderers), 13 Alcino Izaacs (Unam), 12 Danco Burger (Wanderers), 11 Jurgen Meyer (Wanderers), 10 André van der Berg (US Limoges, France), 9 Jacques Theron (Wanderers), 8 Adriaan Booysen (Wanderers), 7 Max Katjijeko (CSA Steaua Bucuresti, Romania), 6 Prince !Gaoseb (captain, CSA Steaua Bucuresti, Romania), 5 Ruan Ludick (Wanderers), 4 Oliver Kurz (Rissho University, Japan), 3 Haitembu Shikufa (Leopards), 2 Armand Combrinck (Stellenbosch University), 1 Jason Benade (Unam).

Substitutes:
Otja Auala (Unam/Rhino Rugby Academy, Cape Town), Gerhard Thirion (Budowlani Lublin, Poland), Sidney Halupe (Wits University), Adriaan Ludick (CSM Baia Mare, Romania), Johan Luttig (Grootfontein), Peter Diergaardt (Rugby Torino, Italy), Joe Losper (Wanderers), AJ Kearns (Unam), Godwin Silvanus (CSA Steaua Bucuresti, Romania), Quirione Majiedt (Unam), Sheron Rossouw (Wanderers).

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