THE Welwitschias take on South Western Districts Eagles in Windhoek tomorrow with an unchanged team and still looking for their first win in the Currie Cup qualifying competition.
The Welwitschias are rock bottom of the log with only one point from nine matches, while SWD are ninth on 21 points, having won four and lost four of their matches.
Welwitschias coach John Williams has selected the same starting 15 that lost 66-5 to the Falcons last weekend, saying that they needed to gain experience.
“We lost 17 of our players to the Nations Cup, so we had to field a completely new team last week. We decided to select the same starting line-up because the players still need time to gel,” he said.
Williams said the scoreline against the Falcons was not a true reflection of the game.
“We scrummed very well and held our own in the line-outs, but our ball retention was not so good. We made eight handling errors and they scored three tries from those, but we fielded some new combinations so it wasn’t that easy. It’s still a new squad so they will need more experience to improve,” he said.
Regarding Saturday’s match, Williams said they needed to pick up their pace and improve their ball retention if they wanted to get a good result.
“SWD are a good side – they are quick on the counter-attack and they have big, physical forwards. But they are from the coast so if we can pick up the pace and chase them around then we will have a chance. We must also improve our ball retention and not lose possession, because without possession we can only defend,” he said.
“Although the scores haven’t been that good, there have been some positives for us, and the fans must not become too impatient because it takes time,” he added.
The match starts at 15h00 at the Hage Geingob Stadium and will be preceded by several youth matches.
Namibia u13 take on WHS u14 at 08h30, while WHS u14 B take on Dr Lemmer U14 at 09h30.
M&K Getze II take on Ella du Plessis II at 10h30, while the FNB Classic Clashes match between M&K Gertze I and Dr Lemmer 1 starts at 11h50.
The Welwitschias squad is as follows:
Quintin Esterhuizen, Dewald Coetzee, Hauta Veii, Wickus Davis, Muniovita Kasiringua, Zayne Groenewaldt, Morne Blom, Joe Hermann, JC Winckler, Aurelio Plato, Silvano Beukes, Francois Wiese (captain), Leslie Klim, Phillip Nashikaku and Justin Nel.
Substitutes:
Johan Wohler, Alberto Engelbrecht, Max Katjijeko, Cameron Klassen, Mahco Prinsloo, Riaan van Zyl and Ignus Tripodi.
The national team meanwhile takes on Emerging Italy in their final match at the Nations Cup in Bucharest, Romania on Saturday afternoon.
Namibia are currently second in Pool A after losing 20-8 to Romania and beating Spain 32-30. The Argentina XV lead the group on 10 points followed by Namibia on five and Uruguay on zero points.
Emerging Italy beat Uruguay 26-24 in their opening match before losing 40-30 to Argentina XV. They are currently second in Pool B on five points, behind Romania (9) and above Spain (2).
The local Namibian Premier League also continues this weekend with several matches scheduled.
The match of the weekend takes place tonight when third-placed Trustco United host second-placed Unam at Trustco Park in Olympia.
When the two sides met in the first round, United won a thriller 26-24 after a last minute try by winger Nandivatu Karuuombe, but they will find a much improved Unam team on Friday night.
Since that defeat, Unam have gone on an unbeaten seven-match streak, beating log leaders Wanderers as well in the process.
In matches on Saturday, Wanderers host Kudus, Rehoboth host Western Suburbs and Walvis Bay host Dolphins.
