rwc15-Namibia out to make a statement

Namibia have a point to prove against Zimbabwe and will be going all out to make a statement when they take on their southern African counterparts in the final of the Africa Cup Division 1A competition on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Namibian captain Rohan Kitshoff said he expected a tough battle as both teams had a point to prove.

“We know Zimbabwe are a very good side and they have improved a lot. They will have a point to prove after they came very close to qualifying for the World Cup in Madagascar last year,” he said.

“But we also have a point to prove and we have a few youngsters coming in who will want to make a statement. We have a very talented group of players in the squad and the spirit is very good,” he added.

Saturday’s match will be Namibia’s final home match before the World Cup and their backline coach Pieter Rossouw said they were determined to finish on a high.

“We want to build on our performance from last week so it’s important that the set phases are well organised and that we finish on a high in our final home game. Zimbabwe will be very organised in the set phases but we have worked hard and hope to put them under pressure with a high tempo game,” he said.

Rossouw said he was satisfied with the team’s progress leading up to the World Cup.

“We have ticked almost all the boxes to get ready for the World Cup. Now we need to work on our repetition to get out processes right. I’m happy with our preparations and by the time the World Cup comes we will be where we should be,” he said.

Kitshoff, who will captain the team in the absence of Jacques Burger who has returned to England, called on the Namibian public to come out in big numbers for Saturday’s match.

“The support from the community and the public at large has been immense the last few weeks. So we are looking forward to a full house and we want to urge people to come and support us because we’ve got a point to prove,” he said.

Kitshoff’s inclusion in place of Burger is one of ten changes to Namibia’s starting line-up with only five players remaining from last weekend’s match against Kenya.

They are full-back Chrysander Botha, fly-half Theuns Kotze, lock forwards Tjiuee Uanivi and Janco Venter and hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld.

Danie Dames, who plays for the Griquas in South Africa, will make his first appearance on the wing, while there will be a new centre combination in JC Greyling and Johan Deysel.

Renaldo Bothma, who has been used as an impact player off the bench till now, makes his first start at eighthman, while veteran flanker Tinus du Plessis returns to the side after a month’s absence.

Namibia and Zimbabwe currently lead the standings of the Africa Cup 1A competition with six points each, followed by Kenya (3) and Tunisia (0).

Namibia and Zimbabwe have met 26 times in the test arena with Namibia winning 23 and Zimbabwe three of the matches. The last time the two teams met was in July last year at the World Cup Qualification Tournament in Madagascar when Namibia recorded a narrow 24-20 win.

The Namibian team to play Zimbabwe in the Windhoek Draught African Cup match tomorrow is as follows:

Casper Viviers, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Johannes Coetzee, Tjiuee Uanivi, Janco Venter, Rohan Kitshoff (captain), Tinus du Plessis, Renaldo Bothma, Arthur Bouwer, Theuns Kotze, Russel van Wyk, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Danie Dames and Chrysander Botha.

The substitutes are as follows:

Rathony Becker, Johnny Redelinghuys, Raoul Larsson, Thomasau Forbes, PJ van Lill, Eniell Buitendag and Johann Tromp.

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