Namibia whitewashed Kenya 36-0 to win the Rugby Africa Cup in Aix-en-Provence, France, on Sunday night to secure automatic qualification to the global spectacle for the seventh consecutive time.
There they will face host nation France, who yesterday topped the world rankings, and three-time Rugby World Cup winners New Zealand for the third tournament in a row.
Italy, which Namibia battled in Japan four years ago, and Uruguay complete pool A.
There is no doubting the degree of difficulty awaiting the Welwitschias next year. However, there is nothing to fear, says inspiration hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld.
“We”;re not scared at all,” the 35-year-old Bayonne forward told Canal+.
Indeed, Namibia”;s most iconic moment at the competition was Johan Deysel”;s 51st-minute try in a 54-14 defeat against the All Blacks at the 2015 edition, which the latter won.
The Welwitschias made their debut in the game”;s marquee event in 1999 and have appeared ever since, but are yet to win a game – something they will be looking to put right in France next year.
“It”;s always an honour to play a World Cup. Not every player plays at a World Cup. It”;s a very high standard. It”;s going to be hard, but we”;re going to work,” Van Jaarsveld said.
Scoring against the eventual winners in front of over 50 000 fans made for a special early 24th birthday present for current captain Deysel.
“I can remember every second like it was yesterday. I don”;t think I will ever forget it,” the centre recalled in a recent interview with World Rugby.
“Because we were the underdog, the crowd were behind us when we did something good or special, and when I scored, they went mental.”
Triumphant coach Allister Coetzee hopes for a similar atmosphere when Namibia take on the heavyweights.
The South African is looking to end Namibia”;s long wait for a first victory at the World Cup. The matches against Italy, who beat Namibia 47-22 in Japan, and particularly Uruguay, present the best opportunity for that landmark moment.
The Welwitschias have faced the South Americans three times, losing the first two clashes before finally beating them 30-28 at the Nations Cup in 2019.
“Hopefully our people are all ready to prepare to go to World Cup 2023 and support the boys. It”;s been a fantastic effort by everyone,” Coetzee said.
“I”;m really proud to say this team has made our supporters and the Namibian public in general very proud, and gives people hope. That”;s what the country needs. We need these positive things.”
The Welwitschias have been in fine form in the south of France, winning their quarter-final against Burkina Faso 71-5 before a 34-19 defeat of Zimbabwe in the last four.
They continued that run in the tournament-deciding match.
“I”;m really proud of the achievement of the team last night against Kenya. That has been an outstanding achievement.
“Knockout rugby is never easy, finals rugby is never easy. But I think our tactics were spot on. We made sure we applied enough scoreboard pressure and keep it as basic as we can,” the ex-Springbok coach said.
“Obviously it was tough conditions out there – the ball was sweaty and wet. So it was also a challenge to deal with the conditions. But I”;m just really proud of the whole squad and the leadership in the team.
“Mission accomplished. We came to this Africa Cup with one mission, and that is to qualify, and we did that.”
