Shadow RWC team lose to Bulls
Rugby
A near-capacity WHS Vegkop Stadium delivered an atmosphere of excitement as Jake White’s Vodacom Bulls beat Allister Coetzee’s competitive Namibian XV 43-30 on Saturday.
The Rugby World Cup warm-up match saw the Namibians narrow the gap compared to the previous year’s 47-12 result in Windhoek, when the sides met ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
Bulls hooker Tiaan Lange’s last-gasp try finally pushed the visitors’ score beyond the 8-point difference, as Bulls nr. 8 Mpilo Gumede named as player of the match.
On Saturday, both teams boasted more experience, although Coetzee chose to keep about 13 of his first-choice players fresh for the upcoming World Cup, in which his side’s opening clash will be against Italy on 9 September.
The Namibians scored four tries – by the centre pairing of Alcino Izaaks and Le Roux Malan, as well as two replacements, Hillian Beukes at centre and Obert Nortje at hooker. André van der Berg (fullback) succeeded with two conversions and two penalties.
After his Bulls team lead 19-13 at halftime and eventually scored seven tries, Jake White said: “The Namibians put us under immense pressure on the cusp of the break but the boys held their own and on the dying minutes of the second half, with their fans behind them, they were on us again and we responded well yet again.
“For us, this game was as important as it was for the Namibians because they needed the competition to help fine-tune their skill, we were happy to be there for them because that is what good neighbours do. I am sure Allister got some good answers from his side and we wish them well as they head to France this coming week.”
The Rugby World Cup warm-up match saw the Namibians narrow the gap compared to the previous year’s 47-12 result in Windhoek, when the sides met ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
Bulls hooker Tiaan Lange’s last-gasp try finally pushed the visitors’ score beyond the 8-point difference, as Bulls nr. 8 Mpilo Gumede named as player of the match.
On Saturday, both teams boasted more experience, although Coetzee chose to keep about 13 of his first-choice players fresh for the upcoming World Cup, in which his side’s opening clash will be against Italy on 9 September.
The Namibians scored four tries – by the centre pairing of Alcino Izaaks and Le Roux Malan, as well as two replacements, Hillian Beukes at centre and Obert Nortje at hooker. André van der Berg (fullback) succeeded with two conversions and two penalties.
After his Bulls team lead 19-13 at halftime and eventually scored seven tries, Jake White said: “The Namibians put us under immense pressure on the cusp of the break but the boys held their own and on the dying minutes of the second half, with their fans behind them, they were on us again and we responded well yet again.
“For us, this game was as important as it was for the Namibians because they needed the competition to help fine-tune their skill, we were happy to be there for them because that is what good neighbours do. I am sure Allister got some good answers from his side and we wish them well as they head to France this coming week.”
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