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Namibia national rugby union team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
National rugby union team representing Namibia
For the Namibian representative rugby union team playing in South African domestic competitions, seeWelwitschias.
Namibia
Shirt badge/Association crest
NicknameWelwitschias
EmblemAfrican fish eagle
UnionNamibia Rugby Union
Director of RugbyJacques Burger
Head coachPieter Rossouw
CaptainJohan Deysel
MostcapsEugene Jantjies (70)
Top scorerTheuns Kotzé (430)
Top try scorerChrysander Botha (28)
Home stadiumHage Geingob Rugby Stadium
Firstcolours
Secondcolours
World Rugby ranking
Current27 (as of 21 July 2025)
Highest18 (2017)
Lowest29 (2006)
First international
South West Africa 0–9British and Irish Lions
(Windhoek, Namibia; 5 July 1955)
Biggest win
 Namibia 118–0Tunisia 
(Windhoek, Namibia; 23 June 2018)
Biggest defeat
 Australia 142–0Namibia 
(Adelaide, Australia; 25 October 2003)
World Cup
Appearances7 (first in1999)
Best resultPool stage (1999,2003,2007,2011,2015,2019,2023)
Websitenru.com.na

TheNamibia national rugby union team (nicknamed theWelwitschias) representsNamibia in men's internationalrugby union competitions. They are a tier-two nation in theWorld Rugby tier system, and have participated in sevenRugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in1999. They are governed by theNamibia Rugby Union.

Namibia has been playing international rugby since the early 1900s. As well as having competed at the World Cup, Namibia competes annually in theAfrica Cup. Until independence, players for Namibia were also eligible to representSouth Africa, with Namibian-born Springboks includingJan Ellis.

History

[edit]

1990s

[edit]

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, theCurrie Cup. The team achieved their best result in the1988 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 overIreland andItaly in 1991. That year the Welwitschias won all 10 of their Tests, the others being five victories against Zimbabwe and one againstPortugal in Lisbon. One of Namibia's players,Andre Stoop was signed by English championrugby 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 playedWales in Windhoek, losing 38–23. Namibia completed big victories over theArabian Gulf rugby team,Kenya and Zimbabwe in the initial rounds of1995 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 toCôte d'Ivoire and drew withMorocco (all in Casablanca). In 1996 Namibia played two matches; losing 15–13 to Zimbabwe, and then defeating them by one point in a subsequent meeting. They played two games in 1997 as well, losing toTonga and Zimbabwe.

During 1998 Namibia took part in the African tournaments for1999 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 toTunisia). Namibia defeated Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco and Zimbabwe to qualify for the1999 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 byFrance,Fiji andCanada, they took pride in scoring an earlytry and being level with France after 20 minutes.

2000–present

[edit]
The national rugby union team of Namibia in 2015.
2023 Rugby World Cup match betweenNew Zealand (All Blacks) and Namibia inToulouse, 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 againstAustralia in the2003 tournament, led to some questioning the presence of the minor teams at the tournament.

Namibia initially struggled in the qualifiers for the2007 tournament, suffering a shock defeat toKenya, their first ever to theAfrican Great Lakes nation, and another toTunisia. Following the Kenya loss, the Namibian squad slumped to 28th in theIRB rankings. However, after defeating Tunisia at home, the team was effectively through to two deciding matches againstMorocco, 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 againstIreland. 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 32–17. They were convincingly beaten in their games withArgentina (63–3) andFrance (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 toGeorgia, to end the tournament winless.

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

Namibia achieved their fourth World Cup qualification in a row after defeatingCôte d'Ivoire in 2011. They were drawn into Pool D, withSouth Africa,Wales,Fiji andSamoa. Their first match in theRugby World Cup held in New Zealand (at theRotorua 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 aHeinz Koll try made him Namibia's all-time highest Rugby World Cup points scorer.

The Welwitschias played the2015 Vodacom Cup, collecting six defeats and one win against theLimpopo Blue Bulls. Namibia qualified for their fourthRugby 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 the2019 Rugby World Cup for the sixth time by winning theRugby Africa Gold Cup and joined pool B along with South Africa, New Zealand,Italy andCanada.[2] The team lost to New Zealand, South Africa and Italy, while the match versus Canada was cancelled because ofTyphoon Hagibis.

Wins against Tier 1 nations

[edit]
15 June 1991Namibia 17–7 ItalyNamibiaWindhoek 
22 June 1991Namibia 33–19 ItalyNamibiaWindhoek 
20 July 1991Namibia 15–6 IrelandNamibiaWindhoek 
27 July 1991Namibia 26–15 IrelandNamibiaWindhoek 

South West Africa Record vs Touring Teams

[edit]

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

OpponentPlayedWonLostDrawnWin %ForAgaDiff
 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
DateScoreTouring TeamVenue
5 July 19550–9British and Irish LionsMabel Vlok Park,Windhoek
11 July 19593–19 Southern RhodesiaOtjiwarongo
8 July 19603–27 New ZealandSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
27 July 196114–14 AustraliaSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
12 June 19626–14British and Irish LionsSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
31 July 19636–24 AustraliaSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
13 June 196415–6 Southern RhodesiaSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
13 March 19663–19 Southern RhodesiaHartsfield Stadium,Bulawayo
15 June 19680–23British and Irish LionsSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
21 September 19688–34 Southern RhodesiaSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
1 September 19698–33 AustraliaSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
4 July 19700–16 New ZealandSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
8 June 19716–35 FranceSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
18 May 197416–23British and Irish LionsSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
17 June 197513–13 FranceSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
7 May 197715–22 Southern RhodesiaSouth West Stadium,Windhoek
29 October 198330–33 ChileSantiago
5 November 198338–22 UruguayMontevideo
24 October 198836–15 ChileSantiago
3 November 1988110–0 ParaguayAsunción

Overall record

[edit]
Main article:Namibia at the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World CuprecordQualification
YearRoundPldWDLPFPASquadPosPldWDLPFPA
New ZealandAustralia1987Part of South Africa: Not an independent country
EnglandFranceIrelandScotlandWales1991Did not enter
South Africa1995Did not qualify2nd6411218104
Wales1999Pool Stage300342186Squad1st540112778
Australia2003400428310SquadP/O430119773
France2007400430212SquadP/O640219096
New Zealand2011400444266SquadP/O651015581
England2015400470174Squad1st7502289159
Japan2019401334175Squad1st101000619133
France2023400437255SquadP/O540120658
Australia2027Did not qualifyP/O8602291169
United States2031To be determined
Total270126285157857442112292951
  •  Champions
  •  Runners–up
  •  Third place
  •  Fourth place
  •  Home venue

DuringTyphoon Hagibis; Namibia v Canada was to be cancelled and recorded as 0–0 draw

Top 30 as of 9 February 2026[4]
RankChange[i]TeamPoints
1Steady South Africa93.94
2Steady New Zealand90.33
3Steady England89.41
4Increase5 France88.40
5Decrease4 Ireland86.81
6Steady Argentina84.97
7Steady Australia81.53
8Steady Fiji81.14
9Increase10 Italy79.81
10Decrease9 Scotland78.98
11Steady Wales74.23
12Steady Japan74.09
13Steady Georgia73.18
14Steady Uruguay69.19
15Steady Spain69.16
16Steady United States68.26
17Steady Chile66.72
18Steady Tonga66.66
19Increase20 Portugal66.53
20Decrease19 Samoa66.43
21Steady Belgium60.77
22Steady Romania59.68
23Steady Hong Kong59.61
24Steady Zimbabwe58.80
25Steady Canada58.75
26Increase27 Namibia56.96
27Decrease26 Netherlands56.86
28Steady  Switzerland55.26
29Steady Czech Republic54.78
30Steady Poland52.96
  1. ^Change from the previous week
Namibia's historical rankings
date1820222426283010/6/20038/31/20097/27/20156/21/2021NamibiaMen's World Rugby rankings
Source:World Rugby[4]
Graph updated to 9 February 2026

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Namibia national XV at test level up until18 November 2025, updated after match with Brazil..[5]

OpponentPlayedWonLostDrawnWin %ForAgaDiff
 Algeria1100100.00%217+14
Arabian Gulf1100100.00%6420+44
 Argentina30300.00%36194−158
 Argentina XV10100.00%2734−7
 Australia10100.00%0142−142
 Belgium10100.00%1522−7
 Brazil1100100%4031+9
 Burkina Faso2200100.00%10910+99
 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
 Italy624033.33%110247—137
 Italy A10100.00%2143—22
 Ivory Coast623133.33%12798+29
 Kenya13112084.62%642252+390
 Madagascar541080.00%36294+268
 Morocco852162.50%196144+52
 New Zealand30300.00%26200−174
 Portugal963066.67%280185+95
 Romania615016.67%66158−92
 Russia725028.57%141183−42
 Samoa30300.00%33115—82
 Senegal5500100.00%21857+161
 South Africa30300.00%16249—233
 Spain725028.57%134174—40
 Tonga20200.00%3555−20
 Tunisia1183072.73%368159+209
 Uganda651083.33%266113+153
 United Arab Emirates1100100%8629+57
 Uruguay615016.67%156204−48
 Wales40400.00%69171−102
 West Germany1100100.00%547+47
 Zambia2200100.00%13220+112
 Zimbabwe35305085.71%1,277737+540
Total18410181254.89%5,6214,975+646

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

On 28 October, Namibia named a 30-player squad ahead of the2027 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament.[6]

Head Coach:South AfricaPieter Rossouw

  • Caps Updated: 13 November 2025(after Samoa v Namibia)
PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Armand CombrinckHooker (1997-04-17)17 April 1997 (age 28)7South Africa Maties Rugby Club
Louis van der WesthuizenHooker (1995-02-25)25 February 1995 (age 30)42South AfricaCheetahs
Torsten van JaarsveldHooker (1987-06-30)30 June 1987 (age 38)29FranceStade Montois
Otja AualaProp6NamibiaUniversity of Namibia
Joshua BesterProp0South Africa Western Province Academy
Aranos CoetzeeProp (1988-03-14)14 March 1988 (age 37)42South AfricaCheetahs
Gianluca SavoldelliProp2South Africa Western Province Academy
Haitembu ShikufaProp (2000-11-28)28 November 2000 (age 25)16South AfricaLeopards
Tiaan de KlerkLock (2001-06-12)12 June 2001 (age 24)6South AfricaPumas
Max KatjijekoLock (1995-04-08)8 April 1995 (age 30)37RomaniaCSA Steaua București
Adriaan LudickLock (1998-07-22)22 July 1998 (age 27)20RomaniaCSA Steaua București
Johan RetiefLock (1995-10-10)10 October 1995 (age 30)36RussiaKrasny Yar
Adriaan BooysenBack row (1996-05-17)17 May 1996 (age 29)30France US Marmande
Wian ConradieBack row (1994-10-14)14 October 1994 (age 31)38United StatesNew England Free Jacks
Prince ǃGaosebBack row (1998-07-07)7 July 1998 (age 27)25RomaniaCSA Steaua București
Riaan GrovéBack row (2003-04-04)4 April 2003 (age 22)2France Sarlat
Johan LuttigBack row (1996-05-28)28 May 1996 (age 29)5Namibia Grootfontein
AJ KearnsScrum-half (1998-10-12)12 October 1998 (age 27)9NamibiaUniversity of Namibia
TC KistingScrum-half (1994-01-13)13 January 1994 (age 32)23RomaniaDinamo București
Jacques TheronScrum-half (1999-03-22)22 March 1999 (age 26)14Namibia Wanderers
Cliven LoubserFly-half (1997-02-24)24 February 1997 (age 28)35United StatesAnthem RC
André van den BergFly-half (1998-01-23)23 January 1998 (age 28)14France AS Fleurance
Danco BurgerCentre (1998-07-28)28 July 1998 (age 27)21Namibia Wanderers
Johan DeyselCentre (1991-09-26)26 September 1991 (age 34)42Namibia Wanderers
Divan RossouwCentre (1996-03-12)12 March 1996 (age 29)12United StatesSeattle Seawolves
J. C. GreylingWing (1991-06-21)21 June 1991 (age 34)53Namibia Wanderers
Jürgen MeyerWing6Namibia Wanderers
Jay-Cee NelWing (1999-01-07)7 January 1999 (age 27)6South AfricaPumas
Danie van der MerweWing (1985-08-22)22 August 1985 (age 40)5Namibia Wanderers
Aston MukwiilongoFullback2Namibia Kudus

Individual all-time records

[edit]

Most caps

[edit]
#PlayerPosSpanMatStartSubPtsTriesConvPensDropWonLostDrawWin %
1Eugene JantjiesScrum-half2006–201970462472315813534150.71
2PJ van LillFlanker2006–20236339244080003131150.00
3Chrysander BothaFullback2008–20185553220928151303420162.72
4Tinus du PlessisFlanker2006–2016524484080002724152.88
5Darryl de la HarpeCentre2010–201950391150100002525050.00
6Johnny RedelinghuysProp2006–20154931182550002226145.91
7JC GreylingCentre2014–202346388145290002521056.75
Johann TrompCentre2012–202146379105210002620055.55
9Rohan KitshoffFlanker2010–2019453114110220002421053.33
10Casper ViviersProp2010-2023423111510002319052.50

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

Most tries

[edit]
#PlayerPosSpanMatStartSubPtsTriesConvPensDrop
1JC GreylingCentre2014–20234638814529000
2Chrysander BothaFullback2008–2018555322092815130
3Gerhard MansWing1990–19942726111426000
4Rohan KitshoffFlanker2010–201945311411022000
Eden MeyerWing1991–19962120110222000
6Johann TrompCentre2012–20214637910521000
7Wian ConradieFlanker2015–present302559014000
8Melrick AfrikaWing2003–2007231856212100
Johan DeyselCentre2013–2023383626012000
Louis van der WesthuizenHooker2013–present3115166012000

Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023.[8]

Most points

[edit]
#PlayerPosSpanMatStartSubPtsTriesConvPensDrop
1Theuns KotzéFly-half2011–2017403554306110555
2Jaco CoetzeeFly-half1990–199528271335681453
3Cliven LoubserFly-half2017–present25232218565210
4Chrysander BothaFullback2008–2018555322092815130
5Mot SchreuderFly-half2002–200719172158442180
6JC GreylingCentre2014–20234638814529000
7Rudie van VuurenFly-half1997–200315105120327170
8Gerhard MansWing1990–19942726111426000
9Rohan KitshoffFlanker2010–201945311411022000
10Eden MeyerWing1991–19962120110222000

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

Most points in a match

[edit]
#PlayerPosPtsTriesConvPensDropOppositionVenueDate
1Justinus van der WesthuizenFly-half333900 ZambiaNamibiaWindhoek26/05/2007
2Jaco CoetzeeFly-half303610 KenyaKenyaNairobi07/07/1993
3Chrysander BothaFullback292530 Ivory CoastNamibiaWindhoek27/06/2009
4Moolman OlivierFly-half2611100 PortugalNamibiaWindhoek21/04/1990
Cliven LoubserFly-half262800 MoroccoMoroccoCasablanca30/06/2018
6Riaan van WykWing255000 MadagascarNamibiaWindhoek15/06/2002
Theuns KotzéFly-half251440 RussiaNamibiaWindhoek18/07/2015
8Gerhard MansWing246000 PortugalNamibiaWindhoek21/04/1990
Mot SchreuderFly-half2401200 KenyaNamibiaWindhoek27/05/2006
Theuns KotzéFly-half2401200 MadagascarNamibiaWindhoek06/07/2014

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

Most tries in a match

[edit]
#PlayerPosPtsTriesConvPensDropOppositionVenueDate
1Gerhard MansWing246000 PortugalNamibiaWindhoek21/04/1990
2Riaan van WykWing255000 MadagascarNamibiaWindhoek15/06/2002
3Eden MeyerWing204000 ZimbabweNamibiaWindhoek16/05/1992
Melrick AfrikaWing204000 KenyaKenya Nairobi16/08/2003
Renaldo BothmaNumber 8204000 MadagascarKenya Nairobi06/07/2014
Rohan KitshoffFlanker204000 SenegalNamibiaWindhoek08/07/2017
JC GreylingCentre204000 TunisiaNamibiaWindhoek23/06/2018
Lesley KlimWing204000 TunisiaNamibiaWindhoek23/06/2018
917 players on3 tries

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

Most matches as captain

[edit]
#PlayerPosSpanMatWonLostDraw%PtsTriesConvPensDrop
1Gerhard MansWing1990–199426205178.8411426000
2Johan DeyselCentre2018–202319127066.00306000
3Jacques BurgerFlanker2007–201517710041.17255000
4PJ van LillFlanker2012–20211495061.53102000
5Corné PowellCentre2002–20071394069.23255000

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

Past coaches

[edit]

Since the1999 Rugby World Cup

YearsCoach
1999South AfricaRudy Joubert
2000Namibia Sarel Losper
2000–2001Namibia Henry Pretorius
2002–2003New ZealandDavid Waterston
2004–2005Namibia Danie Vermeulen
2005Namibia Christo Alexander
2006–2007Namibia Johan Venter
2007NamibiaHakkies Husselman
2008–2009South Africa John Williams
2009–2011NamibiaJohan Diergaardt
2012–2015Namibia Danie Vermeulen
2015–2019WalesPhil Davies
2020NamibiaJohan Diergaardt
2021–2024South AfricaAllister Coetzee
2024–2025NamibiaChrysander Botha
2025NamibiaJacques Burger(Interim)
2025South AfricaPieter Rossouw

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  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. Retrieved22 August 2020.
  3. ^Stats
  4. ^ab"Men's World Rankings".world.rugby. Retrieved9 February 2026.
  5. ^Namibia rugby statistics
  6. ^Free Jacks star Malan ruled out of Namibia squad for Repechage
  7. ^"Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Test matches – Player records".ESPN Scrum. Retrieved23 September 2019.
  8. ^"Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Test matches – Player records".ESPN Scrum. Retrieved23 September 2019.

External links

[edit]
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