Lock Nico Esterhuyse and scrumhalf Eneill Buitendag have been forced to withdraw from the Namibian team for the opening test of the Windhoek Draught Friendship Series against Russia that gets underway in Windhoek on Saturday.
The 33-test veteran Esterhuyse suffered a calf strain during Tuesday evening’s training session at the Hage Geingob Stadium and has been ruled out of the first test against the Russians.
Esterhuyse has been replaced by University of Stellenbosch forward Janco Venter who will earn his fifth test cap for Namibia.
Venter was initially not available for the first test match due to exams but will now join the squad Friday evening in time for the captain’s run.
Buitendag, with 12 test caps, would have started the test match from the bench but slipped at training Wednesday evening and suffered a hamstring strain. He will be replaced by Arthur Bouwer.
The two injured players will be assessed early next week to determine their availability for the second test against Russia.
The Namibian team to face Russia in the first test of the Windhoek Draught Friendship Series at the Hage Geingob Stadium this Saturday is :
15. Johan Tromp, 14. David Philander, 13. Danie van Wyk
12. Johan Deysel, 11. Russel van Wyk, 10. Theuns Kotzè, 09. Eugene Jantjies, 08. Thinus du Plessis, 07. Thomasua Forbes, 06. Jacques Burger (Capt), 05. Janco Venter, 04. Tjiuee Uanivi, 03. Casper Viviers, 02. DG.Wiese, 01. Jaco Engels.
Replacements.
16. Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17. Raoul Larson, 18. AJ de Klerk, 19. Renaldo Bothma, 20. Rohan Kitshoff, 21. Arthur Bouwer, 22. JC Greyling, 23. Chrysander Botha. – NRU Media Services
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