Van Jaarsveld hat-trick takes Namibia a step closer to World Cup

MATCH REPORT: Captain Torsten van Jaarsveld scored three tries as Namibia moved within two games of the 2023 Rugby World Cup after beating Burkina Faso 71-5 in the quarterfinals of a qualifying tournament in Marseille on Friday.

Hooker Van Jaarsveld, who won promotion to the Top 14 with Bayonne last month, crossed in a half an hour spell for the side who have featured at every World Cup since 1999's edition.

Namibia, ranked 24th in the world, will next meet Zimbabwe in the semifinals in Aix-en-Provence on July 6.

Zimbabwe, who reached the 1987 and 1991 tournaments, scored five tries in a 38-11 victory over the Ivory Coast.

On Sunday, Uganda meet Kenya and Senegal face Algeria in Aix-en-Provence.

The last four ties take place on Wednesday before the final on July 10, with the victors taking the final place in Pool A alongside hosts France and three-time winners New Zealand.