Namibia national rugby union team

The Namibia national rugby union team represents Namibia in men's international rugby union competitions nicknamed the Welwitschias, are a tier-two nation in the World Rugby tier system, and have participated in five Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999. They are governed by the Namibia Rugby Union.

For the Namibian representative rugby union team playing in South African domestic competitions, see Welwitschias.
Namibia
Nickname(s)Welwitschias
EmblemAfrican fish eagle
UnionNamibia Rugby Union
Head coachPhil Davies
CaptainJohan Deysel
Most capsEugene Jantjies (68)
Top scorerTheuns Kotzé (344)
Top try scorerGerhard Mans (27)
Home stadiumHage Geingob Rugby Stadium
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current24 (as of 8 March 2020)
Highest18 (2017)
Lowest29 (2006)
First international
South West Africa 0–9 British Lions
(Windhoek, Namibia; 5 July 1955)
Biggest win
Namibia 118–0 Tunisia 
(Windhoek, Namibia; 23 June 2018)
Biggest defeat
 Australia 142–0 Namibia
(Adelaide, Australia; 25 October 2003)
World Cup
Appearances6 (First in 1999)
Best resultPool stage, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019
Websitewww.namibianrugby.com

Namibia has been playing international rugby since the early 1900s. As well as having competed at the World Cup, Namibia annually competes in the Africa Cup. Until independence, players for Namibia were also eligible to represent South Africa, with Namibian-born Springboks including Jan Ellis. As of 23 September 2019, they are ranked 23rd in the world.[1]

History

1990s

Rugby union has been played in Namibia since 1916 when it was introduced by soldiers from South Africa who had invaded the German-run colony.

Before Namibia gained its independence in 1990, the team, as South West Africa, played in South Africa's domestic club competition, the Currie Cup. The team achieved their best result in the 1988 season, where they finished third.

The Namibia Rugby Union was formed in March 1990, and it joined the International Rugby Board in the same month. Independence came too late for Namibia to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Hardened by regular, tough competition in the Currie Cup, the first few years of Namibian rugby union were relatively successful, their highest point being 2–0 home series victories over Ireland and Italy in 1991. That year the Welwitschias won all 10 of their Tests, the others being five victories against Zimbabwe and one against Portugal in Lisbon. One of Namibia's players, Andre Stoop was signed by English champion rugby league club, Wigan.

During the international seasons Namibia played six games; the first of which was a 55–23 win over Zimbabwe. Following another victory over Zimbabwe, in 1993 Namibia played Wales in Windhoek, losing 23–38. Namibia completed big victories over the Arabian Gulf rugby team, Kenya and Zimbabwe in the initial rounds of 1995 Rugby World Cup qualifying.

Russia toured Namibia in 1994, defeating the home team 31–12 in Windhoek. Although Namibia defeated Zimbabwe that year, the team lost to Côte d'Ivoire and drew with Morocco (all in Casablanca). In 1996 Namibia played two matches; losing 13–15 to Zimbabwe, and then defeating them by one point in a subsequent meeting. They played two games in 1997 as well, losing to Tonga and Zimbabwe.

During 1998 Namibia took part in the African tournaments for 1999 Rugby World Cup qualification. They started out in Round 3, where they finished second in the pool behind Zimbabwe on points difference (defeating Zimbabwe but losing to Tunisia). Namibia defeated Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco and Zimbabwe to qualify for the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

The team's participation was put in doubt when the Namibian government's Sports Commission barred the team from participating in a South African competition it had been using as preparation, and threatened to stop the team from taking part in the World Cup. This followed criticisms from non-white rugby clubs that the Namibian Rugby Union displayed racist attitudes.[2] Ultimately, however, the team were allowed to take part.

The 1999 World Cup marked their debut at the tournament and since then they have been Africa's second representative alongside South Africa. While they suffered heavy defeats by France, Fiji and Canada, they took pride in scoring an early try and being level with France after 20 minutes.

2000–present

However, with a small player base, and lacking frequent or strong competition, the team has deteriorated in recent years. Their record in the World Cups has been poor as they have not yet managed a win. Their record defeat, 142–0 against Australia in the 2003 tournament, led to some questioning the presence of the minor teams at the tournament.

Namibia initially struggled in the qualifiers for the 2007 tournament, suffering a shock defeat to Kenya, their first ever to the African Great Lakes nation, and another to Tunisia. Following the Kenya loss, the Namibian squad slumped to 28th in the IRB rankings. However, after defeating Tunisia at home, the team was effectively through to two deciding matches against Morocco, to determine which of the two African nations would make it to France in 2007. Namibia convincingly won both legs, qualifying for the World Cup.

As the lowest ranked team at the start of the 2007 World Cup, Namibia was given no chance in its opening game of against Ireland. However, the Namibian squad frustrated Ireland, then the 5th ranked team in the world, and scored two tries for its narrowest World Cup loss of 17–32. They were convincingly beaten in their games with Argentina (63–3) and France (87–10). And, in the game in which they were seen as having the best chance to win, they suffered a disappointing 30–0 loss to Georgia, to end the tournament winless.

The African side was able to win the IRB Nations Cup in 2010.

Namibia achieved their fourth World Cup qualification in a row after defeating Côte d'Ivoire in 2011. They were drawn into Pool D, with South Africa, Wales, Fiji and Samoa. Their first match in the Rugby World Cup, held in New Zealand (at the Rotorua International Stadium) resulted in a defeat by Fiji by 45–29. Their second match in this tournament was a 49–12 loss to Samoa but the third was an 87–0 loss to South Africa. In their final pool game, Wales proved to be too strong, as Namibia conceded 12 tries in an 81–7 defeat. Theuns Kotzé provided his side's one consolation, as his conversion of a Heinz Koll try made him Namibia's all-time highest Rugby World Cup points scorer.

The Welwitschias played the 2015 Vodacom Cup, collecting six defeats and one win against the Limpopo Blue Bulls. Namibia qualified for their fourth Rugby World Cup in 2015. They were placed in Pool C with New Zealand, Georgia, Tonga and Argentina. They managed to lose to Georgia by a single point (17-16), their best result ever and winning their first bonus point at the competition.

They have qualified once again for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Wins against Tier 1 nations

Record vs Touring Teams

Before independence Namibia played as South West Africa and played touring teams who toured South Africa. [3]

Date Score Touring Team Venue
5 July 1955 0–9  British and Irish Lions Mabel Vlok Park, Windhoek
8 July 1960 3–27  New Zealand South West Stadium, Windhoek
27 July 1961 14–14  Australia South West Stadium, Windhoek
12 June 1962 6–14  British and Irish Lions South West Stadium, Windhoek
31 July 1963 6–24  Australia South West Stadium, Windhoek
15 June 1968 0–23  British and Irish Lions South West Stadium, Windhoek
1 September 1969 8–33  Australia South West Stadium, Windhoek
4 July 1970 0–16  New Zealand South West Stadium, Windhoek
8 June 1971 0–16  France South West Stadium, Windhoek
18 May 1974 16–23  British and Irish Lions South West Stadium, Windhoek
17 June 1975 13–13  France South West Stadium, Windhoek

Record
See also: Namibia at the Rugby World Cup
Top 30 rankings as of 9 March 2020[4]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1  South Africa094.19
2  New Zealand092.11
3  England088.41
4  Ireland084.91
5  France082.73
6  Wales082.64
7  Australia081.90
8  Scotland080.68
9  Japan079.28
10  Argentina078.31
11  Fiji076.21
12  Georgia072.88
13  Tonga071.44
14  Italy071.07
15  Samoa070.72
16  United States068.10
17  Uruguay067.41
18  Spain067.14
19  Romania065.36
20 4 Russia062.13
21 1 Portugal061.27
22 1 Hong Kong061.23
23 1 Canada061.12
24 1 Namibia061.01
25  Netherlands060.08
26  Brazil058.89
27  Belgium057.19
28   Switzerland054.11
29  Chile053.83
30  Germany053.13
*Change from the previous week
Namibia's historical rankings
Source: World Rugby - Graph updated to 27 January 2020[4]

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Namibia national XV at test level up until 22 April 2020.[5]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Arabian Gulf1100100.00%6420+44
 Argentina30300.00%36194–158
 Australia10100.00%0142–142
 Canada20200.00%2489—65
 Fiji20200.00%43116–73
 France20200.00%23134—111
 France XV20200.00%3649—13
 Georgia514020.00%73112—39
 Germany2200100.00%13733+104
 Hong Kong1100100.00%2212+10
 Ireland422050.00%65117–52
 Italy422050.00%96122—26
 Ivory Coast421150.00%10150+51
 Kenya1192081.82%544201+343
 Madagascar431075.00%31084+226
 Morocco852162.50%196144+52
 New Zealand20200.00%23129–106
 Portugal862075.00%258148+110
 Romania615016.67%66158–92
 Russia725028.57%141183–42
 Samoa20200.00%2589—64
 Senegal4400100.00%16340+123
 South Africa30300.00%16249—233
 Spain615028.57%120172—52
 Tonga20200.00%3555–20
 Tunisia1183072.73%368159+209
 Uganda541080.00%24494+150
 Uruguay413025.00%112142-30
 Wales40400.00%69171-102
 West Germany1100100.00%547+47
 Zambia2200100.00%13220+112
 Zimbabwe32293090.63%1198665+533
Total1568766255.77%48664155+711

    Current squad

    Namibia named a 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup on 2 September.[6]

    Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
    Obert Nortjé Hooker (1997-04-17)17 April 1997 (aged 22) 17 Peñarol Rugby
    Louis van der Westhuizen Hooker (1995-02-25)25 February 1995 (aged 24) 21 Cheetahs
    Torsten van Jaarsveld Hooker (1987-06-30)30 June 1987 (aged 32) 16 Bayonne
    Aranos Coetzee Prop (1988-05-14)14 May 1988 (aged 31) 24 Free State Cheetahs
    AJ de Klerk Prop (1987-12-09)9 December 1987 (aged 31) 31 Welwitschias
    André Rademeyer Prop (1998-06-24)24 June 1998 (aged 21) 6 Yorkshire
    Des Sethie Prop (1992-12-09)9 December 1992 (aged 26) 13 Welwitschias
    Nelius Theron Prop (1997-01-29)29 January 1997 (aged 22) 7 Leopards
    Johan Retief Lock (1995-10-10)10 October 1995 (aged 23) 10 Leopards
    Tjiuee Uanivi Lock (1990-12-31)31 December 1990 (aged 28) 33 Massy
    PJ van Lill Lock (1983-12-04)4 December 1983 (aged 35) 52 Valence Romans
    Adriaan Booysen Loose forward (1996-05-17)17 May 1996 (aged 23) 7 Houston Sabercats
    Wian Conradie Loose forward (1994-10-14)14 October 1994 (aged 24) 19 Dallas Jackals
    Thomasau Forbes Loose forward (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 30) 19 Welwitschias
    Prince ǃGaoseb Loose forward (1998-07-07)7 July 1998 (aged 21) 3 Yorkshire
    Max Katjijeko Loose forward (1995-04-08)8 April 1995 (aged 24) 15 Olimpia Lions
    Rohan Kitshoff Loose forward (1985-09-13)13 September 1985 (aged 34) 45 Welwitschias
    Janco Venter Loose forward (1994-09-19)19 September 1994 (aged 25) 28 Saracens F.C.
    Eugene Jantjies Scrum-half (1986-08-10)10 August 1986 (aged 33) 71 Welwitschias
    TC Kisting Scrum-half (1994-01-13)13 January 1994 (aged 25) 10 Baia Mare
    Damian Stevens Scrum-half (1995-06-02)2 June 1995 (aged 24) 27 New Orleans Gold
    Cliven Loubser Fly-half (1997-02-24)24 February 1997 (aged 22) 17 Yorkshire
    Darryl de la Harpe Centre (1986-10-02)2 October 1986 (aged 32) 51 Yorkshire
    Johan Deysel (c) Centre (1991-09-26)26 September 1991 (aged 27) 23 Colomiers
    Justin Newman Centre (1995-02-17)17 February 1995 (aged 24) 16 Welwitschias
    Janry du Toit Centre (1996-08-26)26 August 1996 (aged 23) 3 Peñarol Rugby
    JC Greyling Wing (1991-06-21)21 June 1991 (aged 28) 35 Welwitschias
    Lesley Klim Wing (1995-01-16)16 January 1995 (aged 24) 13 Jersey Reds
    PJ Walters Wing (1993-04-23)23 April 1993 (aged 26) 2 Welwitschias
    Chad Plato Fullback (1998-04-21)21 April 1998 (aged 21) 4 Welwitschias
    Johann Tromp Fullback (1990-12-23)23 December 1990 (aged 28) 43 Strela

    Individual all-time records

    Most caps
    # Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw Win %
    1.Eugene JantjiesScrum-half2006–201970462472315813534150.71
    2.Chrysander BothaFullback2008–20185553220928151303420162.72
    3.Tinus du PlessisFlanker2006–2016524484080002724152.88
    4.PJ van LillFlanker2006–present5134173570002525150.00
    5.Darryl de la HarpeCentre2010–201950391150100002525050.00
    6.Johnny RedelinghuysProp2006–20154931182550002226145.91
    7.Rohan KitshoffFlanker2010–present453114110220002421053.33
    8.Johann TrompCentre2012-present4334995190002419055.81
    9.Theuns KotzéFly-half2011–present4035543061105552119052.50
    10.Casper ViviersProp2010–present37289510002116056.75

    Last updated: 06 October 2019 [7]

    Most tries
    # Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
    1.Chrysander BothaFullback2008–2018555322092815130
    2.Gerhard MansWing1990–19942726111426000
    3.Rohan KitshoffFlanker2010–present45311411022000
    Eden MeyerWing1991–19962120110222000
    5.JC GreylingCentre2014–present3528710521000
    6.Johann TrompCentre2012–present433499519000
    7.Melrick AfrikaWing2003–2007231856212100
    8.David PhilanderCentre2008–2017302375511000
    9.Darryl de la HarpeCentre2010-20195039115010000
    Du Preez GroblerCentre2001–2008252145010000
    Corné PowellCentre2001–2007262425010000
    Riaan van WykWing2002–2004101005010000

    Last updated: 06 October 2019 [8]

    Most points
    # Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
    1.Theuns KotzéFly-half2011–present403554306110555
    2.Jaco CoetzeeFly-half1990-199528271335681453
    3.Chrysander BothaFullback2008–2018555322092815130
    4.Cliven LoubserFly-half2017-present17152169452150
    5.Mot SchreuderFly-half2002-200719172158442180
    6.Rudie van VuurenFly-half1997-200315105120327170
    7.Gerhard MansWing1990-19942726111426000
    8.Rohan KitshoffFlanker2010-present45311411022000
    9.JC GreylingCentre2014–present3528710521000
    10.Eden MeyerWing1991-19962120110222000

    Last updated: New Zealand vs Namibia, 06 October 2019. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

    Most points in a match
    # Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
    1.Justinus van der WesthuizenFly-half333900 Zambia Windhoek26/05/2007
    2.Jaco CoetzeeFly-half303610 Kenya Nairobi07/07/1993
    3.Chrysander BothaFullback292530 Ivory Coast Windhoek27/06/2009
    4.Moolman OlivierFly-half2611100 Portugal Windhoek21/04/1990
    Cliven LoubserFly-half262800 Morocco Casablanca30/06/2018
    6.Riaan van WykWing255000 Madagascar Windhoek15/06/2002
    Theuns KotzéFly-half251440 Russia Windhoek18/07/2015
    8.Gerhard MansWing246000 Portugal Windhoek21/04/1990
    Mot SchreuderFly-half2401200 Kenya Windhoek27/05/2006
    Theuns KotzéFly-half2401200 Madagascar Windhoek06/07/2014

    Last updated: New Zealand vs Namibia, 06 October 2019. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

    Most tries in a match
    # Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
    1.Gerhard MansWing246000 Portugal Windhoek21/04/1990
    2.Riaan van WykWing255000 Madagascar Windhoek15/06/2002
    3.Eden MeyerWing204000 Zimbabwe Windhoek16/05/1992
    Melrick AfrikaWing204000 Kenya Nairobi16/08/2003
    Renaldo BothmaNumber 8204000 Madagascar Nairobi06/07/2014
    Rohan KitshoffFlanker204000 Senegal Windhoek08/07/2017
    JC GreylingCentre204000 Tunisia Windhoek23/06/2018
    Lesley KlimWing204000 Tunisia Windhoek23/06/2018
    9.15 players on 3 tries

    Last updated: New Zealand vs Namibia, 06 October 2019. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

    Most matches as captain
    # Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
    1.Gerhard MansWing1990-199426205178.8411426000
    2.Jacques BurgerFlanker2007-201517710041.17255000
    3.Corné PowellCentre2002-20071394069.23255000
    4.Rohan KitshoffFlanker2014-present1284066.667515000
    Kees LensingProp2006-20091265154.1600000
    6.Quinn HoughFlanker1997-19991165054.54255000
    PJ van LillFlanker2012–20151174063.63102000

    Last updated: New Zealand vs Namibia, 06 October 2019. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

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    See also

    Notes
    1. Rugby World Rankings
    2. Chris Hewett (29 April 1999). "Rugby Union: England bucks the global growth trend". The Independent.
    3. Stats
    4. "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
    5. Namibia rugby statistics
    6. "Jantjies on verge of fourth tournament". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
    7. "Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Statsguru - Test matches - Player records". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
    8. "Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Statsguru - Test matches - Player records". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
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