Griffons poised to pounce
Griffons poised to pounce

Griffons poised to pounce

The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias are desperate to build momentum in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, after three losses in a row so far.
Limba Mupetami
The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias will have to dig deep on Sunday, if they are to pose a threat to the Down Touch Griffons at the Impala Rugby Football Club Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa.

They are desperate for a win in order to keep the morale of the players high in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge. Namibia are the bottom-feeders in their pool so far, after being handed rugby lessons in their first three clashes of the season.

They are not newcomers to the tournament, as they are taking part for the third time.

The Welwitschias are using this year's edition of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge as preparation for their upcoming participation in the 2019 Japan Rugby World Cup.

Head coach Phil Davies has consistently said the SuperSport tournament bridges the gap between club and international rugby.

He believes the tournament is particularly helpful to Namibia's home-based players.

“The SuperSport Rugby Challenge is considered a third-tier competition, behind Super Rugby and the Currie Cup; for the Namibian side it is the highest level of rugby they can play outside of the World Cup,” Davies said in a recent interview with Namibian Sun.

He said along with a focused fitness plan, the competition is helping the players prepare well for the World Cup.

The Welwitschias lost their opening match against the Xerox Lions 23-40 and then suffered a massive defeat to the Vodacom Blue Bulls, who defeated them 21-87 in their second match. Last weekend the Tafel Lager Griquas thrashes the Welwitschias 61-24 at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek.

The Namibian team now heads into the weekend hoping to defeat the fifth-placed Griffons, who lost 20-35 last weekend to the Vodacom Blue Bulls and are also looking to salvage their season.

The match is expected to kick off at 12:30.



The Windhoek Draught squad as follows:

Andre Rademeyer, Louis van der Westhuizen, Obert Nortje, Desiderius Sethie, AJ de Klerk, Ruan Ludick, Wian Conradie, Prince Gaoseb, Christo van der Merwe, Thomasau Forbes, Max Katjijeko, Leneve Damens (vice-captain), JC Winkler, Eugene Jantjies, PW Steenkamp, Cliven Loubsher, Chris Arries, Darryl de la Harpe (captain), Justin Newman, Russel van Wyk, JC Greyling and Johan Tromp.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-19

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