Namibian U13 and U12 rugby teams depart for South African national tournaments

The Namibian under-13 rugby sevens team, along with the under-12s (15s) team, departed this morning at 10:00 AM for Worcester and Riversdale, South Africa, to participate in national tournaments.

U13 sugby sevens

The final U13 team of 12 players was selected after rigorous trials held in August and has been training together since Sunday. They are set to compete in a highly competitive group, facing top-tier teams like the Cheetahs, Western Province, and the Lions. These teams are renowned for their well-established rugby systems, producing quality players year after year.

In an telephone interview with team manager Graschlin Hanstein, confidence was apparent despite the limited preparation time. Hanstein emphasized that while the competition will be challenging, the boys have shown great promise during their training sessions, and no injuries have been reported.

“It is not going to be an easy competition, and we are going up against good teams, but I am happy with what I saw in training,” Hanstein shared.

Furthermore he stated that the team’s advantage lies in their speed and power, critical elements in sevens rugby. Hanstein expressed optimism, especially with the explosive speed possessed by the wingers, which they plan to utilize effectively.

This will mark the team's second appearance at the tournament, and their first match is set to take place on 20 September 2024 at 10:10 AM against Border.

The 12 teams competing in the tournament are split into two groups, with Namibia drawn in Group B, with Western Province, Lions A, Cheetahs, Pumas, Border

Selected Players for the U13 Rugby Sevens Team: Loose head prop - Ngaruke Kamunguma (Parkies), Hooker - Wehan Groenewald (WBPHS), Tight head prop - Franco Smith (Whk Gym), Sweeper - Cayden Klazen (Whk Gym), Playmaker - Ryan Steyn (Whk Gym), Centre - Adrian v.d Westhuizen (Orban), Wing - Rajik Duvenhage (WBPHS), Hooker - Jayden Coakley (St. Joseph), Prop - Landre van Dyk (Parkies), Utility - Rylan Simpson (Parkies), Centre - Reece Bezuidenhout (Parkies), Wing - Carduan Beukes (Ruimte p.s)

Staff:

Head Coach - Bevon Botha

Assistant Coach - Heindrich Geldenhuys

Team Manager - Graschlin Hanstein

Extra Official - Mauritz Tirihon

U12 Team

Meanwhile, the under-12 rugby team is heading to Riversdale, Western Cape, to participate in the Southern Regional Tournament. This follows their earlier participation in the Northern Regional Tournament earlier this year.

According to the team manager, Ernest Groenewald, the team only had two training sessions after reporting to camp on Monday, but remains confident, with the majority of players from the previous tournament making the cut again.

The U12s will play their first match on the Oaklade High School rugby field at 12:25 PM, and with 24 players selected.

Selected Players for the U12 Rugby Team:

Charles Bodenstein

Joshua Isaacs

Benjamin Coetzee

Izak Burger

Michael Mackenzie

Zehan Pienaar

Dandre Du Plessis

Ethan Strydom

Francois Siepker

Liam Van Rooyen

Zander Buys

Marcel De Klerk

Chad Van Wyk

John-Logan Cloete

Ewald Potgieter

BW Oelofsen

Tinus Botma

Lourenzo Hatzenberg

Leighton De Waal

Mc-Hendry Pieters

Emil Gresse

David Evan Mouton

Colin De Koe

Vitjitua Vapingene

Staff:

Team Manager - Ernest Groenewald

Head coach - Brian Titus

Ass. Coach - JT Basson