It's a tough pool - Davies
The coach of the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias, Phil Davies, says they are in a very tough pool ahead of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias and Xerox Golden Lions will meet tomorrow in one of the opening matches of the third edition of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, which Namibia will use to prepare for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in September.
“We're in a tough pool with the likes of Griquas Bulls and Lions. This is a great opportunity for the players as we are preparing for the World Cup. I'm very excited for the first match,” said Davies.
“With the schedule ahead our goal is to have the team ready and for the rugby-loving nation to come and watch the players as they have done well to be the reigning best in Africa and to successfully qualify for the World Cup,” he added.
The tournament format has changed from previous years, as the competition will this year be split into two sections, North and South, with the top two teams from each section progressing to the semifinals.
To add more flavour to the already diverse venues that will see action, matches will be played at Namibia's home base in Windhoek, while the Zimbabweans, playing in the competition for the first time and featuring in the South Section, will use False Bay Rugby Club in Cape Town as their base for the duration of the tournament.
Defending champions Pumas will spearhead the North Section alongside the Down Touch Griffons, Leopards, Vodacom Blue Bulls, Namibia, Xerox Golden Lions XV, Tafel Lager Griquas and Valke.
The South Section will consist of the Toyota Free State XV, Cell C Sharks XV, SWD Eagles, DHL Western Province, Boland, EP Elephants, Border and Zimbabwe.
Tickets for adults cost N$50 in advance and N$70 at the gate. Tickets for children cost N$10 and N$20 at the gate.
In the opening match today, the Pumas and Blue Bulls will contest it out at 19:00. In Saturday's matches, the Tafel Lager Griquas will play the Valke (14:30)
Toyota Free State will face the Cell C Sharks at 15:00, whereas the Down Touch Griffons and Leopards will play at 16:15.
On Sunday, the Eagles have a date with Western Province at 12:00, while the Boland Cavaliers will play the Elephants at 14:00
The provincial squad for the match includes:
Front row:
Jason Benadie, Andre Rademeyer, Gerhard Thirion, Niel van Muren, Calla Freygang, AJ de Klerk.
Back five:
Ruan Ludick, Mahepisa Tjeriko, Prince Goaseb, Rohan Kitschof, Thomasau Forbes, Max Katjijeko, Leneve Dames (vice-caption).
Halfbacks:
JC Winkler, Eugene Jantjies, PW Steenkamp, Cliven Loubser.
Outside backs:
Chris Arries, Darryl de la Harpe (captain), Jander du Toit, PJ Walters, Oderich Mouton, Chrysander Botha and Macho Prinsloo.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
“We're in a tough pool with the likes of Griquas Bulls and Lions. This is a great opportunity for the players as we are preparing for the World Cup. I'm very excited for the first match,” said Davies.
“With the schedule ahead our goal is to have the team ready and for the rugby-loving nation to come and watch the players as they have done well to be the reigning best in Africa and to successfully qualify for the World Cup,” he added.
The tournament format has changed from previous years, as the competition will this year be split into two sections, North and South, with the top two teams from each section progressing to the semifinals.
To add more flavour to the already diverse venues that will see action, matches will be played at Namibia's home base in Windhoek, while the Zimbabweans, playing in the competition for the first time and featuring in the South Section, will use False Bay Rugby Club in Cape Town as their base for the duration of the tournament.
Defending champions Pumas will spearhead the North Section alongside the Down Touch Griffons, Leopards, Vodacom Blue Bulls, Namibia, Xerox Golden Lions XV, Tafel Lager Griquas and Valke.
The South Section will consist of the Toyota Free State XV, Cell C Sharks XV, SWD Eagles, DHL Western Province, Boland, EP Elephants, Border and Zimbabwe.
Tickets for adults cost N$50 in advance and N$70 at the gate. Tickets for children cost N$10 and N$20 at the gate.
In the opening match today, the Pumas and Blue Bulls will contest it out at 19:00. In Saturday's matches, the Tafel Lager Griquas will play the Valke (14:30)
Toyota Free State will face the Cell C Sharks at 15:00, whereas the Down Touch Griffons and Leopards will play at 16:15.
On Sunday, the Eagles have a date with Western Province at 12:00, while the Boland Cavaliers will play the Elephants at 14:00
The provincial squad for the match includes:
Front row:
Jason Benadie, Andre Rademeyer, Gerhard Thirion, Niel van Muren, Calla Freygang, AJ de Klerk.
Back five:
Ruan Ludick, Mahepisa Tjeriko, Prince Goaseb, Rohan Kitschof, Thomasau Forbes, Max Katjijeko, Leneve Dames (vice-caption).
Halfbacks:
JC Winkler, Eugene Jantjies, PW Steenkamp, Cliven Loubser.
Outside backs:
Chris Arries, Darryl de la Harpe (captain), Jander du Toit, PJ Walters, Oderich Mouton, Chrysander Botha and Macho Prinsloo.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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