Namibia to play the Blue Bulls
Namibia get their season under way with a match in Windhoek against the Blue Bulls, preparation for the Vodacom Cup in which the Welwitchias will be taking part and in the long term for the World Cup.
Sarel Losper, great Namibian eighthman and at present the vice-president of the troubled union, said: "Last year our goal was to win two home matches in the Vodacom Cup. We nearly achieved it. We beat the Valke and lost by two points to Griquas. This year our goal is to win all four of our home matches and one away match.
"The warm-up match serves as a trial before the Welwitchias play their first Vodacom Cup match."
Namibia will not be at full strength while the Blue Bulls have three new players Ulrich Beyers (Western Province Under-19), Louis Fouché (Leopards Under-21) and Dustin Jinka, the Hamiltons scrumhalf who has played for the Blue Bulls at Currie Cup level. Frik Kirsten, Van Velze, and Fudge Mabeta have Super Rugby experience. T
Namibia: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Llewellyn Winckler, 13 Attie du Plessis, 12 Daryl de la Harpe, 11 Heini Bock, 10 Jackie Bock, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 PJ van Lill, 7 Albertus (Choppie) Engelbrecht, 6 Tinus du Plessis, 5 Nico Esterhuizen, 4 Heinz Koll, 3 Raymond Dobson, 2 Sean Esterhuizen, 1 Johnny Redelinghuys
Replacements: 16 Bertus O’Callaghan, 17 Errol Weston, 18 Hauta Veii, 19 Munee Tjiueza, 20 Morné Blom, 21 Jurie van Tonder, 22 Collin de Koe, 23 Tinus Venter, 24 Sergio de la Harpe.
Blue Bulls: Ulrich Beyers, Courtnall Skosan, Bradley Moolman, Franco Maritz, Dirk Dippenaar, Louis Fouché, Dustin Jinka, Gerrit-Jan van Velze (k), CJ Stander, Tendayi Chikukwa, Cornell Hess, Mthunzi Mabeta, Frik Kirsten, Henri Bantjes, Juan Pike. Plaasvervangers: Zane Botha, Juan Schoeman, Andries Ferreira, Marnus Schoeman, Danie Faasen, JC Roos, Pieter van der Walt.
Date: Satruday, 12 February 2011
Kick-off: 16.00
Venue: Hage Geingob Stadium
Referee: Danie Koen and Gerome Hanekom. Each of them will handle a half.