Namibia choose for important tour
Namibia have chosen their team which will take them to Portugal and then, vitally, to Tunis.
They play Portugal on Saturday and then return to Africa to play Tunisia in Tunis in a World Cup Qualifier.
The qualifier is played over two legs, the first in Tunis, the second in Windhoek. The winner of those matches will win the Africa Cup and will be qualified to go directly to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand as Africa's representative. It is an important three weeks for Namibian rugby.
Coach John Williams, formerly the coach of the Valke and due to return to South Africa soon, has chosen a squad of 26 players. There are four uncapped players in the squad - fullback Robert Herridge (captain of Namibia Under-19), eighthman Brendan Walters and locks Renaud van Neel and Heinz Koll.
Getting overseas-based players was not easy. Prop and captain Kees Lensing (Castres), centre Piet van Zyl (Bourgoin) and flank Jacques Niewenhuis (Aurillac) play in France where club rugby continues during November, Hugo Horn and Tinus du Plessis (both Rotherham Titans) play in England and Eugene Jantjies in Romania. Western Province prop Wicus Blaauw, born in Windhoek, has asked to be given time to see if he can realise a dream by becoming a Springbok. Prop Ruan Vermeulen had indicated that he would be available but has subsequently retired from all rugby. Jaco Engels of the Blue Bulls is looking to sign a contract in France and did not want to jeopardise it. Prop André Schlechter and wing/fullback Danie Dames were also considered.
Missing because of injury are flyhalves Jacky Bock and Godwin Walters and fullback TC Losper while lock André de Klerk and wing Llewellyn Winckler are sitting exams.
Namibia squad: Kees Lensing (captain), Jané du Toit, Johnny Redelinghuys, Marius Visser, Hugo Horn, Shaun Esterhuizen, Wacca Kazombiaze, Nico Esterhuisen, Heinz Koll, Renaud van Neel, Jacques Burger, Jacques Niewenhuis, Tinus du Plessis, P.J. van Lill, Brendon Walters, Jurie van Tonder, Eugene Jantjies, Emile Wessels, Piet van Zyl, David Philander, Tinus Venter, McGrath van Wyk, Bradley Langenhoven, Heini Bock, Chrysander Botha, Robert Herridge.
Coaches: John Williams, Johan Diergaardt, Hakkies Husselman