WINDHOEK – The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias on Saturday lost their opening game of the 2016 Currie Cup by 17 points to 32 against the Toyota Free State XV in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
The Welwitschias managed to score a penalty in the 19th minute through Johan Tromp and then a try in the 23rd minute by Malcolm Moore, which Shaun Kaizembi converted.
The Free State scored four tries in the first half – two by Reniel Hugo and one each by Ruan van Rensberg and Oupa Mohoje. They only managed to convert one try to make the half-time score 22-10 in favour of the Free State.
In the second half, the Namibians came out more composed in their defence and managed to get a penalty in the 48th minute, but Kaizembi failed to convert from the spot.
The Free State scored another try but the conversion was missed.
The score was then 27-10 in favour of the home team.
With only eight minutes of play time left, Tromp scored the Welwitschias’ second try of the game and Kaizembi converted to take the score to 17-27.
The Free State scored another try with only two minutes left on the clock, but the conversion was once again missed and the game ended 17-32 in favour of the Free State.
The defeat leaves Namibia with zero points and bottom of the log.
In an interview after the game which was broadcast on the SuperSport television channel, Welwitschias captain Rohan Kitshoff said he was happy with his side’s performance on the day but they still have a lot to work on.
“The boys had a brilliant game today, but our opponents were more experienced and that gave them the edge over us.
“We are happy that throughout the tournament we will pick up enough experience, which will help us when we play qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup and also compete with other teams still in the tournament.”
The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) registered a team made up of only local players for the 2016 edition of the Currie Cup tournament. – Nampa
Currie Cup qualifier results (Round 1):
Western Province (30) – Tries: Daniel du Plessis, Tim Whitehead, Meyer Swanepoel. Conversions: Brandon Thomson (3). Penalties: Thomson (3).
Blue Bulls (16) – Tries: Nqobisizwe Mxoli. Conversion: Tony Jantjies. Penalties: Jantjies (3).
Lions (23) – Tries: Ricky Schroeder, Lourens Erasmus. Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (2). Penalties: Boshoff (3).
Border Bulldogs (27) – Tries: Siphosethu Tom, Makazola Mapimpi, Wandile Putuma. Conversions: Oliver Zono, Masixole Banda, Logan Basson. Penalties: Zono (2).
Sharks XV (25) – Tries: S’bura Sithole, Khaya Majola, Wandile Mjekevu. Conversions: Innocent Radebe (2). Penalties: Radebe (2).
Boland Cavaliers (37) – Tries: Shaun Adendorff, Shaun McDonald, Ryan Nell, Danwell Demas, Adriaan Carelse. Conversions: Nico Scheepers (3). Penalties: Scheepers (2).
Pumas (9) – Penalties: Justin van Staden (3).
Valke (12) – Tries: Dean Muir, Andrew van Wyk. Conversion: Karlo Aspeling.
Free State Cheetahs (32) – Tries: Reniel Hugo, Reinardt Erwee (2), Oupa Mohoje, Joseph Dweba, Elandre Huggett. Conversion: Ruan van Rensburg.
Welwitchias (17) – Tries: Melcolm Moore, Johan Tromp. Conversions: Tromp, Shaun Kaizembi. Penalty: Tromp.
EP Kings (14) – Tries: Penalty try, Jeremy Ward. Conversions: Michael Brink (2).
SWD Eagles (37) – Tries: Daniel Roberts, Martin du Toit, Riaan Arends, Leighton Eksteen. Conversion: Hansie Graaff (3), Jacquin Jansen. Penalties: Hansie (3).
Griffons (14) – Tries: Martin Sithole, Selwyn Davids. Conversions: George Whitehead (2).
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