The Namibian rugby selectors have named a 26-man squad that will travel to Madagascar on Wednesday to compete in the final African World Cup qualifiers against Kenya, Zimbabwe and Madagascar.
The team will be led by eighthman PJ van Lill and consists of 14 forwards and 12 back line players.
A late addition is wing Danie Dames who plays for Griquas in the South African Currie Cup and who will join the team on Monday.
The squad includes seven foreign-based professionals in Dames; fullback Chrysander Botha (Lions), wing or centre David Philander (Poverty Bay, New Zealand), centre Johan Deysel (Leopards), flyhalf Theuns Kotze (club rugby in France), flanker Rohan Kitshoff (Western Province) and eighthman Renaldo Botma (Pumas).
The squad includes three youngsters who represented Namibia at the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Hong Kong in April.
They are centre Divan Visser, flanker Awie Thompson and hooker DG Wiese.
Namibia will play three group matches against Kenya next Saturday, 28 June, Zimbabwe on 2 July and Madagascar on 6 July.
Namibia leaves for Madagascar on Wednesday, 25 June and will return on 8 July.
The Namibian squad is as follows:
Backs:
Chrysander Botha, Danie Dames, Darryl de la Harpe, Divan Visser, Johan Deysel, Heinrich Smit, Johan Tromp, David Philander, Theuns Kotze, Justin Nel, Eniell Buitendag and Arthur Bouwer.
Forwards:
PJ van Lill (captain), Renaldo Bothma, Rohan Kitshoff, Tinus du Plessis, Thomasau Forbes, Morne Blom, Munee Tjiueza, Awie Thompson, Andre Schlechter, Rathony Becker, Jaco Engels, Shaun du Preez, DG Wiese and Johnny Redelinghuys.
