HEAD coach Phil Davies yesterday said compiling Namibia’s Rugby World Cup squad was “very difficult”, amid suspicions of discord which led to former captain Renaldo Bothma’s shock retirement on the eve of the team’s announcement.
The experienced flanker, who plies his trade with English Premiership side Harlequins, made the abrupt revelation on his Twitter account on Sunday afternoon after the Namibia Rugby Union sent out an invitation for the squad announcement press conference.
“I would like to announce my retirement from international rugby with immediate effect. I want to wish the Namibian boys all the best at the World Cup. I’m now looking forward to an exciting season ahead with Harlequins,” Bothma, capped 40 times, declared.
Pressed for details on his decision to quit the national side he helped to a 28-22 World Cup warm-up victory over South African franchise Southern Kings on Saturday, the 29-year-old intimated at underlying tension, but did not elaborate.
“I will still tell my story. But at the moment, I am not going to make any comments regarding this,” he told The Namibian Sport yesterday.
When naming the team, Davies listed having “a good character” among the selection criteria, suggesting relations may be strained with his ex-captain, who overcame a broken arm three times in 2017 to resuscitate his career.
Seasoned fullback Chrysander Botha and prop Casper Viviers, who were both at the 2015 World Cup, were other notable omissions from the final squad, which includes fly half Eugene Jantjies (33), who will join a select group of players to feature at four World Cups.
“Renaldo retired from international rugby. He’s been a brilliant servant for his country, and we wish him well in his professional career. It’s like with the others, Casper Viviers and Chrysander Botha, who are experienced players as well. It’s difficult, but you’ve got to find a balance that you believe can form the combination on the field that can get you results. And that’s what we’ve done; we’re very pleased with what we have,” Davies explained.
New captain Johan Deysel and his deputy Tjiuee Uanivi are part of 15 players retained from the last World Cup.
Among those set for Rugby World Cup debuts include 21-year-olds Andre Rademeyer, Chad Plato, Obert Nortje and Prince !Gaoseb, with Cliven Loubser (22), who converted three tries against the Kings on Saturday, also making the cut.
“We viewed it for about four years. We based everything on tier one playing standards, which is knowing what strength you need in a player in a world cup,” said Davies.
“We had quite a clear process. It was very difficult to get to the final squad. I was at 38 [players] for a long time, and I had to get to 31. The players who are here, I believe are the best players we have in terms of the best combination,” he added.
Namibia leave for Japan on 12 September, ahead of their opening Pool B clash against Italy on 22 September. They then face two-time former world champions South Africa on 28 September before a 6 October showdown with holders New Zealand.
The final pool fixture against Canada on 13 October presents their best chance of scoring a first win at the tournament.
“We just want to work on what we achieved. Obviously, we had a good World Cup in England. We created some new milestones for performance at the World Cup, and that’s exactly what we want to do this time,” Davies said optimistically.
“We lost by one point against Georgia last time to gain our first World Cup point on the log, so it’ll be good to get a win this time by a point.
“We’ll just try to improve from what we did last time. We’re in a tough group, but the boys are ready, and they know what’s expected of them,” he continued.
“We gonna try and achieve that result that we’ve been craving for over 20 years. It’s a big expectation, but the boys are in good shape to achieve that.”
In the squad are:
Forwards – Andre Rademeyer (Wanderers, 21), Nelius Theron (PUK Rugby Ins, RSA 22), Desiderius Sethie (Unam, 26), AJ de Klerk (Wanderers, 27), Johannes Coetzee (Cheetahs, RSA 31), Obert Nortje (Unam, 22), Louis van der Westhuizen (PUK Rugby Ins, 24), Torsten van Jaarsveld (Bayonne RC, Fra 32), Tjiuee Uanivi (London Scottish RFC, 28), Johan Retief (PUK Rugby Ins, 23), Thomasau Forbes (Western Suburbs, 31), Rohan Kitshoff (Wanderers, 33), Max Katjijeko (Luctoninas RC, Eng 24), Prince !Gaoseb (Unam, 21), Wian Conradie (University of Johannesburg, RSA 24), PJ van Lill (Bayonne RC, Fra 35), Adriaan Booysen (Wanderers, 23) and Janco Venter (Jersey RC, Eng 24).
Backs – Cliven Loubser (Blue Bulls Academy, RSA 22), Helarius Kisting (CSM Baie Mare, Rom 25), Damian Stevens (Sharks XV, SA 24), Eugene Jantjies (Western Suburbs, 32), Darryl de la Harpe (Western Suburbs, 32), Johan Deysel (Colomiers RC, Fra 27), Justin Newman (PUK Rugby Ins., RSA 24), JC Greyling (Wanderers, 28), Johann Tromp (Wanderers, 28), Chad Plato (Blue Bulls Academy, RSA 21), Lesley Klim (Osprey RC,Wal 26), Janry du Toit (Wanderers, 23) and PJ Walters (United, 26)
