The title race in the Namibia Rugby Premier League is wide open as it reaches the halfway stage this weekend.
FNB Grootfontein currently lead the log on 32 points, but FNB Wanderers (30) and Trustco United (29) follow closely behind, and with each having a game in hand on Grootfontein, the northerners’ lead might not last long.
They are, however, expected to remain on top for this weekend when they host Reho Falcon at Grootfontein tomorrow.
Falcons are second last on the log with only one win from six matches while they suffered two heavy defeats in their last two outings – going down 57-21 to United and 73-5 to Kudus.
Grootfontein, on the other hand, have only lost one match so far, going down 29-15 away to United, while they picked up important wins against title contenders Wanderers (37-32), Kudus (24-19) and Unam (35-30).
They have a powerful pack of forwards with the likes of the Lüttig brothers Johan and Pieter, Eloff du Plessis, Renard Hattingh and their inspirational captain, Wicus Jacobs, as well as pace and guile with backs like Lorenzo Louis and Lasarus Joseph.
Grootfontein, however, were not too impressive in their last match as they were pushed all the way before beating Dolphins 41-36 at home – a result that could give Falcons some hope.
The standout fixture of the weekend will take place in Windhoek when Wanderers host defending champions FNB Kudus in Pionierspark.
Kudus have had a slow start to the league, losing two of their opening four matches, but last time out they pulled off an impressive 41-27 away victory against Unam to move into fourth position on the log on 26 points.
They too have a match in hand on Grootfontein and a victory tomorrow will put them right up among the title challengers.
Wanderers on their home turf, however, will be a daunting challenge, especially since they have been strengthened by the return of three senior national players from abroad in Adriaan Booysen, Andre van der Berg and Chemigan Beukes, as well as under-20 national Owen Hawanga.
They have several more national players in their squad and a lot of depth, with some exciting players making their national debut against Zambia last weekend like Kistings Minyoi, Dhale Cloete, Wiks Tromp, Tareekuje Tjipote, SW Kuhn, and Jaylon Carew, who had a blinder, scoring three tries.
United are also expected to boost their title chances when they take on Western Suburbs at Suburbs Park.
They have only lost one match all season – going down 27-24 to Wanderers in their opening match on 11 April, but since then they have gone on an unbeaten run, including impressive wins against Kudus (43-36) and Grootfontein (29-15).
Suburbs, by contrast, are having a poor season, having lost all their matches to date and are stuck at the bottom of the log on only one point.
FNB Unam host FNB Dolphins at Unam Stadium in Windhoek in a match that could go either way.
Unam have been quite inconsistent and are currently seventh on the log on 13 points with just two wins from six matches.
Dolphins have also only won two matches, but are one point above Unam in sixth place, and after a narrow 41-36 defeat to Grootfontein a fortnight ago, they will fancy their chances of pulling off an upset in Windhoek.
