• Rugby

Burger believes turnaround is achievable

• 6 Days Ago 28 November 2024

Securing enough game time for the national squad looks likely be one of the most significant challenges for Namibia in the remaining months before the Rugby Africa Cup in July next year that will serve as the qualifier for the 2027 World Cup.

Namibia (due to financial constraints) and suspended Russia were the only countries in the top 30 of the world rankings that did not play any matches during the November window period for test rugby.

Newly appointed director of rugby at the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), Jacques Burger, told a media conference this week that warm-up matches against the Stormers and the Bulls during June are currently the only confirmed match preparation ahead of the decisive World Cup qualifier next July in Kampala.

Burger and the newly appointed coaching team under Chrysander Botha will be determined to bounce back strongly after a slightly under-strength squad slipped to the bronze position at the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup in the Ugandan capital.

Zimbabwe, filled with confidence and flair, won the semi-final against Namibia convincingly (32-10) before storming past Algeria in the final (29-3).

With four tries and Denzo Bruwer scoring 19 kicking points, Namibia salvaged a 38-29 win against Kenya to finish in third place, in the last match of the Allister Coetzee era (2021-2024).

Burger said: “Hats off to Zimbabwe. They’ve shown to their potential foreign-based professionals that they have a shot (at World Cup qualification). They will be smelling blood in the water and hyped up to put Namibia away. They’ll be well prepared, as they’ve just completed a tour with wins against UAE and South Korea. They are busy and active and they have funds to go on tour. Their rugby culture has always been strong, producing top-level players in South Africa and elsewhere.

“Looking past them, Kenya is another team capable of hurting you on the day with their power and athleticism if you don’t manage your game plan the right way.

“But if we get our skills and fitness levels right, I’m very excited about the capabilities of our young talent.

“The long and the short of it is that we have to qualify for the World Cup. I believe we have the right players and the right coaches and management.”



Build-up

With South African rugby in vibrant health at the moment, Burger reckons that at the bare minimum, two warm-up matches in June against well-organised professional outfits like the Bulls and the Stormers will stand the Namibians in good stead.

“Even if we take a loss, we will definitely be growing and we’ll be tough to put away.

“I think that’s a main goal – that we become a team that is really tough to beat; that no matter how good the opposition, they have to work really hard to put us away.

“Game time is really important for all of our players, locally and abroad, in order to improve and to get exposure. There are more possibilities and talks with other unions, but other warm-up fixtures would still need to be confirmed.”



Player value

Keeping track of the progress and skills of all qualifying contenders for Namibia’s schoolboy, under-20 and senior teams is a long-term priority.

“It is extremely important that we get the best possible coaching team for the under-20s, to establish this age group as a vital part of the pathway to the senior national team.

“Something we have neglected at times in the past, is how important the players are to us. That relationship with players is something we are working extremely hard on. We have so may talented players out there and if we can establish that sense of trust and honesty and show that we are here to make a difference ... the feedback I’ve been getting is extremely positive.

“If we make sure that the players are valued, you’ll see a team that is going to play with a lot of hearta d a lot of passion. We’re gonna be a bunch of guys who really care for each other. We want to form the family bond that is going to take us further than just developing your skills and your game plan.

“The long and the short is that we look after the players, make sure they have everything they need, that travel and medical aspects are taken care of and that performing for Namibia is worth their while.”