FNB Wanderers will meet FNB Grootfontein, while FNB Kudus will play Montego United in the semifinals of the Namibia Rugby Premier League after the final round of league matches was concluded over the weekend.
The semifinalists had already been confirmed before Saturday’s matches but there were still some highly competitive encounters, with FNB Unam also pulling off an upset win against Grootfontein.
Unam, which failed to qualify for the semifinals after finishing fifth on the log, made a great comeback to beat already qualified Grootfontein 50-43 at the Unam Stadium.
In a roller-coaster match that saw the lead changing hands throughout, Unam took a 31-21 lead early in the second half, but Grootfontein struck back with three tries and seemed to be heading to victory when they led 43-36 with three minutes to go.
Unam, however, made a terrific comeback with hooker Rowan Jansen and scrumhalf Caeden Moller scoring two tries in quick succession to seal a dramatic 50-43 victory.
Unam scored eight tries in total with Don Juan Beukes (two), Keashan Beukes, Lazarus Joseph, Alcino Isaacs and Jayden Links also dotting down, while Geraldo Beukes added five conversions.
For Grootfontein Jahno du Plessis scored three tries, hooker Wicus Jacobs two, and prop Filippus Tshuuya one, while Franklin Busch added 13 points with the boot.
Despite the defeat, Grootfontein finished fourth on the log to go through to the semifinals where they will meet top placed Wanderers, who beat United 41-29 in an entertaining derby.
After Wanderers took an early 15-0 lead, United stormed back with three tries to take a 17-15 lead at the half time break.
Wanderers, however, finished stronger to eventually win the match 41-29.
Wanderers scored six tries through Jaylon Carew (two), Tareekuje Tjipute, Kistings Minyoi, Edward Drotsky and Kyle Nel, while Wiks Tromp added 11 points with the boot.
United scored five tries through Irongwa Atshivudhi, Suramie Kambombo, Jurgen Meyer, Otjo Auala and Enrique Husselman, who also added two conversions.
United, who finished second on the log, will now meet the defending champions Kudus who finished third, in the semifinals.
Kudus faced a tough challenge away to FNB Rehoboth and just managed to pull off a 23-20 victory.
Kudus scored three tries through Armando Dentlinger, Lezardo Vos and Denzo Bruwer, who added a conversion and a penalty, while Aurelio Plato also added a penalty.
For Rehoboth, Deevan Matthys scored two tries and Delano van Wyk one, while Miquel Busch added a conversion and a penalty.
FNB Dolphins, meanwhile finished sixth on the log after beating FNB Western Suburbs 26-22 at Suburbs Park.
Dolphins scored four tries through Antoni Titus (two), Lucihano Geingob and Vaino Gamatham, while Maughan Jarman added three conversions.
Suburbs scored four tries through Upahee Muhuura (two), Jaarukaku Tjatjitura and Dullon de Klerk, while Dwayne van Zyl added one conversion.
