Key fixtures as NRU Premier League resumes

Club rugby
Brian Munango
  • 1 Month Ago 19 July 2024
The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) Premier League is back in action this weekend after a brief break to accommodate the national team’s test match against Portugal on July 13.

The league's return promises another exciting lineup of fixtures for Saturday, as the top contenders resume their pursuit to stay in semi-final contention and ultimately league glory.

Leading the charge, FNB Unam, who top the standings with 55 points from, will face FNB Rehoboth, who has been partly unlucky to only in eighth place with 20 points and remains a talented and dangerous challenger.

This highly anticipated clash will be broadcast live on DSTV Channel 285 and digital platform OneUpTwo.

FNB Unam will be significantly weakened, missing eight key players on national duty – wing and leading try-scorer Quirione Majiedt, centre and captain Alcino Izaacs, scrumhalf AJ Kearns, props Jason Benade and Desiderius Sethie, locks Mahepisa Tjeriko and Diamando Tjombe as well as nr. 8 Kistings Minyoi – who are all representing Namibia at the Africa Cup in Uganda.

Despite these absences, Unam will be eager to maintain their top position and not to drop any of their season’s momentum.

• Second-placed FNB Wanderers, who have played one match less than Unam, will travel to Rehoboth to take on FNB Reho Falcon. Wanderers will also be without a notable contingent of players: centre Danco Burger, scrumhalf and club captain Jacques Theron, full-back Denzo Bruwer, flank Peter Diergaardt, lock Johan Retief, hooker Obert Nortje, prop Herschell van Wyk and wing Nandivatu Karuuombe, all of whom are part of the national squad.

This match will be crucial for Wanderers as they aim to maintain high standards at the top of the table, all while testing the depth at the disposal of head coach Dirk Human.

• In a coastal clash, FNB Kudus, sitting in third place, will take on the ninth- and last-placed Simonis Storm Dolphin. Notably, Lloyd Jacobs from FNB Kudus is the only player from the coastal sides selected for the Africa Cup, adding extra intrigue to this encounter.

• Rounding out the weekend’s fixtures, defending title holders Trustco United will face FNB Western Suburbs at their Gemsbok Park headquarters in Olympia, in what promises to be another competitive match.

The Khomasdal team know that they won’t catch up with the top-four positions anymore, but are keen to embrace their new role as spoilers.

As the NRU Premier League resumes, rugby enthusiasts can expect high-stakes action and dramatic outcomes, setting the stage for an exhilarating finish to the season.