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 the six 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
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Welwitschias
EmblemAfrican fish eagle
UnionNamibia Rugby Union
Head coachAllister Coetzee
CaptainJohan Deysel
Most capsEugene Jantjies (70)
Top scorerTheuns Kotzé (430)
Top try scorerChrysander Botha (28)
Home stadiumHage Geingob Rugby Stadium
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current21 (as of 16 January 2023)
Highest18 (2017)
Lowest29 (2006)
First international
South West Africa 0–9 British and Irish 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
Appearances7 (First in 1999)
Best resultPool stage (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
Websitenru.com.na

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.

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.[1] 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
2023 Rugby World Cup match between New Zealand (All Blacks) and Namibia in Toulouse, France.

With a small player base, and lacking frequent or strong competition, the team has deteriorated in the 21st century. 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 qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup for the sixth time by winning the Rugby Africa Gold Cup and joined pool B along with South Africa, New Zealand, Italy and Canada.[2] The team lost to New Zealand, South Africa and Italy, while the match versus Canada was cancelled because of Typhoon Hagibis.

Wins against Tier 1 nations
15 June 1991 Namibia  17–7  Italy Namibia Windhoek  
22 June 1991 Namibia  33–19  Italy Namibia Windhoek  
20 July 1991 Namibia  15–6  Ireland Namibia Windhoek  
27 July 1991 Namibia  26–15  Ireland Namibia Windhoek  

South West Africa Record vs Touring Teams

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

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Australia30210.00%2871−43
 British and Irish Lions40400.00%2269—47
 Chile211050.00%6648+18
 France20110.00%1948—29
 New Zealand20200.00%343−40
 Paraguay1100100.00%1100+110
 Uruguay1100100.00%3822+16
 Southern Rhodesia615016.67%58136−78
Total21415219.05%344437–93
Date Score Touring Team Venue
5 July 1955 0–9  British and Irish Lions Mabel Vlok Park, Windhoek
11 July 1959 3–19  Southern Rhodesia Otjiwarongo
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
13 June 1964 15–6  Southern Rhodesia South West Stadium, Windhoek
13 March 1966 3–19  Southern Rhodesia Hartsfield Stadium, Bulawayo
15 June 1968 0–23  British and Irish Lions South West Stadium, Windhoek
21 September 1968 8–34  Southern Rhodesia 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 6–35  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
7 May 1977 15–22  Southern Rhodesia South West Stadium, Windhoek
29 October 1983 30–33  Chile Santiago
5 November 1983 38–22  Uruguay Montevideo
24 October 1988 36–15  Chile Santiago
3 November 1988 110–0  Paraguay Ascuncion

Record
See also: Namibia at the Rugby World Cup
Men's World Rugby Rankings
Top 30 as of 23 October 2023[4]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1 Steady South Africa092.79
2 Steady New Zealand091.56
3 Steady Ireland090.57
4 Steady France087.81
5 Steady England083.72
6 Steady Scotland083.43
7 Steady Argentina082.42
8 Steady Wales080.64
9 Steady Australia077.48
10 Steady Fiji076.38
11 Steady Italy075.93
12 Steady Japan074.27
13 Steady Portugal072.78
14 Steady Georgia072.68
15 Steady Samoa072.23
16 Steady Tonga071.57
17 Steady Uruguay067.39
18 Steady United States066.22
19 Steady Spain064.05
20 Steady Romania063.28
21 Steady Namibia060.56
22 Steady Chile060.49
23 Steady Canada060.46
24 Steady Hong Kong059.80
25 Steady Russia058.06
26 Steady Brazil056.35
27 Steady Netherlands055.84
28 Steady  Switzerland055.72
29 Steady Belgium054.58
30 Steady South Korea053.46
* Change from the previous week
Namibia's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[4]
Graph updated to 23 October 2023

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Namibia national XV at test level up until 30 September 2023.[5]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
Arabian Gulf1100100.00%6420+44
 Argentina30300.00%36194−158
 Argentina XV10100.00%2734−7
 Australia10100.00%0142−142
 Burkina Faso1100100.00%715+66
 Canada312033.33%67126—59
 Chile1100100%2826+2
 Fiji20200.00%43116−73
 France30300.00%23230—207
 France XV20200.00%3649—13
 Georgia514020.00%73112—39
 Germany2200100.00%13733+104
 Hong Kong1100100.00%2212+10
 Ireland422050.00%65117−52
 Italy523040.00%104174—70
 Italy A10100.00%2143—22
 Ivory Coast623133.33%12798+29
 Kenya12102083.33%604225+379
 Madagascar541080.00%36294+268
 Morocco852162.50%196144+52
 New Zealand30300.00%26200−174
 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
 Spain725028.57%134174—40
 Tonga20200.00%3555−20
 Tunisia1183072.73%368159+209
 Uganda541080.00%24494+150
 Uruguay615016.67%156204−48
 Wales40400.00%69171−102
 West Germany1100100.00%547+47
 Zambia2200100.00%13220+112
 Zimbabwe33303090.91%1239675+564
Total1719475254.97%52324620+612

    Players

    Current squad

    On 21 August, Namibia confirmed their 33-player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

    Head Coach: South Africa Allister Coetzee

    • Caps Updated: 21 August 2023
    Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
    Obert Nortjé Hooker (1997-04-17) 17 April 1997 19 Namibia Wanderers
    Torsten van Jaarsveld Hooker (1987-06-30) 30 June 1987 19 France Bayonne
    Louis van der Westhuizen Hooker (1995-02-25) 25 February 1995 29 South Africa Cheetahs
    Jason Benade Prop (1995-04-16) 16 April 1995 13 Namibia University of Namibia
    Aranos Coetzee Prop (1988-03-14) 14 March 1988 29 South Africa Cheetahs
    Des Sethie Prop (1992-12-09) 9 December 1992 17 Namibia University of Namibia
    Haitembu Shikufa Prop (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 1 South Africa Leopards
    Casper Viviers Prop (1988-06-01) 1 June 1988 41 France La Baule
    Tiaan de Klerk Lock (2001-06-12) 12 June 2001 1 Italy Mogliano
    Adriaan Ludick Lock (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 9 France Limoges
    Mahepisa Tjeriko Lock (1993-05-06) 6 May 1993 11 Namibia University of Namibia
    Tjiuee Uanivi Lock (1990-12-31) 31 December 1990 34 France Montauban
    P. J. van Lill Lock (1983-12-04) 4 December 1983 60 France Capbreton Hossegor
    Adriaan Booysen Back row (1996-05-17) 17 May 1996 24 United States Dallas Jackals
    Wian Conradie Back row (1994-10-14) 14 October 1994 28 United States New England Free Jacks
    Prince ǃGaoseb Back row (1998-07-07) 7 July 1998 12 Israel Tel Aviv Heat
    Richard Hardwick Back row (1994-05-31) 31 May 1994 3 Australia Melbourne Rebels
    Max Katjijeko Back row (1995-04-08) 8 April 1995 20 Israel Tel Aviv Heat
    Johan Retief Back row (1995-10-10) 10 October 1995 21 South Africa Griquas
    Oela Blaauw Scrum-half (2001-10-17) 17 October 2001 0 South Africa University of Johannesburg
    Damian Stevens Scrum-half (1995-06-02) 2 June 1995 36 United States New Orleans Gold
    Jacques Theron Scrum-half (1999-03-22) 22 March 1999 3 Namibia Wanderers
    Cliven Loubser Fly-half (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 19 United States Utah Warriors
    André van den Berg Fly-half (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 4 Namibia Wanderers
    Danco Burger Centre (1998-07-28) 28 July 1998 5 Namibia Wanderers
    Johan Deysel (c) Centre (1991-09-26) 26 September 1991 35 France Colomiers
    JC Greyling Centre (1991-06-21) 21 June 1991 42 Namibia Wanderers
    Le Roux Malan Centre (1999-03-31) 31 March 1999 2 United States New England Free Jacks
    Gerswin Mouton Wing (1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 3 South Africa Wits University
    Alcino Izaacs Wing (1993-11-16) 16 November 1993 5 Namibia University of Namibia
    Chad Plato Wing (1998-04-21) 21 April 1998 6 Namibia Kudus
    Divan Rossouw Wing (1996-03-12) 12 March 1996 6 Russia Krasny Yar
    Tiaan Swanepoel Fullback (1996-06-04) 4 June 1996 2 South Africa Lions

    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.PJ van LillFlanker2006–present6339244080003131150.00
    3.Chrysander BothaFullback2008–20185553220928151303420162.72
    4.Tinus du PlessisFlanker2006–2016524484080002724152.88
    5.Darryl de la HarpeCentre2010–201950391150100002525050.00
    6.Johnny RedelinghuysProp2006–20154931182550002226145.91
    7.JC GreylingCentre2014–present46388145290002521056.75
    Johann TrompCentre2012–202146379105210002620055.55
    9.Rohan KitshoffFlanker2010–2019453114110220002421053.33
    10.Casper ViviersProp2010-present423111510002319052.50

    Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. [6]

    Most tries
    # Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
    1.JC GreylingCentre2014–present4638814529000
    2.Chrysander BothaFullback2008–2018555322092815130
    3.Gerhard MansWing1990–19942726111426000
    4.Rohan KitshoffFlanker2010–201945311411022000
    Eden MeyerWing1991–19962120110222000
    6.Johann TrompCentre2012–20214637910521000
    7.Wian ConradieFlanker2015-present302559014000
    8.Melrick AfrikaWing2003–2007231856212100
    Johan DeyselCentre2013-present383626012000
    Louis van der WesthuizenHooker2013-present3115166012000

    Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. [7]

    Most points
    # Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
    1.Theuns KotzéFly-half2011–2017403554306110555
    2.Jaco CoetzeeFly-half1990–199528271335681453
    3.Cliven LoubserFly-half2017–present25232218565210
    4.Chrysander BothaFullback2008–2018555322092815130
    5.Mot SchreuderFly-half2002–200719172158442180
    6.JC GreylingCentre2014–present4638814529000
    7.Rudie van VuurenFly-half1997–200315105120327170
    8.Gerhard MansWing1990–19942726111426000
    9.Rohan KitshoffFlanker2010–201945311411022000
    10.Eden MeyerWing1991–19962120110222000

    Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. 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 ZambiaNamibia Windhoek26/05/2007
    2.Jaco CoetzeeFly-half303610 KenyaKenya Nairobi07/07/1993
    3.Chrysander BothaFullback292530 Ivory CoastNamibia Windhoek27/06/2009
    4.Moolman OlivierFly-half2611100 PortugalNamibia Windhoek21/04/1990
    Cliven LoubserFly-half262800 MoroccoMorocco Casablanca30/06/2018
    6.Riaan van WykWing255000 MadagascarNamibia Windhoek15/06/2002
    Theuns KotzéFly-half251440 RussiaNamibia Windhoek18/07/2015
    8.Gerhard MansWing246000 PortugalNamibia Windhoek21/04/1990
    Mot SchreuderFly-half2401200 KenyaNamibia Windhoek27/05/2006
    Theuns KotzéFly-half2401200 MadagascarNamibia Windhoek06/07/2014

    Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

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

    Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. 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.Johan DeyselCentre2018-present19127066.00306000
    3.Jacques BurgerFlanker2007–201517710041.17255000
    4.PJ van LillFlanker2012–20211495061.53102000
    5.Corné PowellCentre2002–20071394069.23255000

    Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

    Past coaches

    Since the 1999 Rugby World Cup

    Years Coach
    1999South Africa Rudy Joubert
    2000Namibia Sarel Losper
    2000–2001Namibia Henry Pretorius
    2002–2003New Zealand David Waterston
    2004–2005Namibia Danie Vermeulen
    2005Namibia Christo Alexander
    2006–2007Namibia Johan Venter
    2007Namibia Hakkies Husselman
    2008–2009South Africa John Williams
    2009–2011Namibia Johan Diergaardt
    2012–2015Namibia Danie Vermeulen
    2015–2019Wales Phil Davies
    2020Namibia Johan Diergaardt
    2021–presentSouth Africa Allister Coetzee

    See also

    Notes
    1. Chris Hewett (29 April 1999). "Rugby Union: England bucks the global growth trend". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18.
    2. Tremlett, Sam (13 October 2019). "Namibia Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide". Rugby World. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
    3. Stats
    4. "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
    5. Namibia rugby statistics
    6. "Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Test matches – Player records". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
    7. "Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Test matches – Player records". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
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