Rugby World Cup 2023 is rapidly approaching, with less than a week until the opening game. Rugby.com.au examines every team's chances in France, looking at Namibia.
Namibia are still hunting for their first win in World Cup history, with 2023’s tournament presenting their best chance yet.
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The ‘Welwitschias’ have been consistent participants in the World Cup with little success.
However, they are another team to have their playing stocks considerably boosted by the new eligibility laws and have built a solid roster.
Former Springboks coach Allister Coetzee has drawn from players across the globe in the quest for that breakthrough win.
Qualified as ‘Africa 1’, winning the 2022 Africa Cup
Namibia have failed to build consistent form leading into this World Cup.
They went down to non-qualifies Spain before a tight win over Canada to finish 2022.
This continued into 2023, losing to Argentina A and Uruguay before a dramatic comeback win over Chile.
Former Australia international flanker Richard Hardwick has been named in the Namibia squad for the Rugby World Cup.
Melbourne Rebels forward Hardwick was born in Windhoek but raised in Australia and won two Wallaby caps in 2017.
A World Rugby rule change in 2021 left the door open for a switch to Namibia. It allows test-capped players to represent a second national team if they are eligible, after a period of three years of inactivity with their original country.
Backs: Oela Blaauw, Danco Burger, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Cliven Loubser, Le Roux Malan, Gerswin Mouton, Chad Plato, Alcino Isaacs, Divan Rossouw, Damian Stevens, Tiaan Swanepoel, Jacques Theron, Andre van der Berg
Forwards: Jason Benade, Adriaan Booysen, Aranos Coetzee, Wian Conradie, Tiaan de Klerk, Prince Gaoseb, Richard Hardwick, Max Katjijeko, Adriaan Ludick, Johan Retief, Desiderius Sethie, Mahepisa Tjeriko, Tjiuee Uanivi, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, PJ van Lill, Casper Viviers *Two players to be added.
Richard Hardwick is an incredible force for Namibia after his sensational season for the Melbourne Rebels.
Hardwick was one of the Rebels’ best in 2023, providing a menace over the breakdown to go with some crucial tries.
The two-time Wallaby lifts the standard of play wherever he goes, playing a pivotal role in their win over
Louis van der Westhuizen has become the cornerstone of the Namibia pack.
van der Westhuizen is one of several players in the South African league, featuring for the Cheetahs during the Challenge Cup.
He also looms as a try-scoring threat, scoring twice in their win over Canada
Played: 22
Wins: 0
Loses: 22
Draw/Cancelled Games: 1 (the 2019 match with Canada was cancelled due to a Typhoon, awarded as a 0-0 Draw)
Best Finish: Group Stages (six times)
2019: Group Stages
2015: Group Stages
2011: Group Stages
2007: Group Stages
2003: Group Stages
September 28 looms as the best chance Uruguay will get at their first Rugby World Cup victory.
They showed they can match it with Uruguay in their defeat earlier in August, only to fall away.
It will be almost 40 years exactly since their one and only win over Uruguay, with their final pool match looming as the best chance to snatch another.
Sat Sep 9 (9:00 PM): Italy v Namibia, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Sat Sep 16 (5:00 AM): New Zealand v Namibia, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Fri Sep 22 (5:00 AM): France v Namibia, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Thu Sep 28 (1:45 AM): Uruguay v Namibia, OL Stadium, Lyon
