Namibia national rugby union team 367263 224824796 2008-07-10T16:10:46Z 83.71.208.181 {{Rugby team | country =Namibia | image = Rugby_Logo_namibia.gif | union = Namibia Rugby Union | nickname = [[Welwitschia]]s | emblem = [[African Fish Eagle]] | captain = Kees Lensing | manager = Sarel Losper | coach = {{flagicon|Namibia}} [[Hakkies Husselman]] | Oldest Player = Eric Pinchu (aged 38 vs Morocco 2006) | Youngest player = | top scorer = | pattern_la1 = _namibia_rugby | pattern_b1 = _namibia_rugby | pattern_ra1 = _namibia_rugby | leftarm1 = FFFFFF | body1 = FFFFFF | rightarm1 = FFFFFF | shorts1 = 0000ff | socks1 = | first = '''Namibia''' {{flagicon|RSA|1928}} 0 - 9 {{BILru}}<BR/>([[5 July]], [[1955]]) | bigwin = {{ru-rt|NAM}} 116 - 0 {{ru|MAD}}<BR/>([[June 15]], [[2002]]) | bigloss = {{ru-rt|AUS}} 142 - 0 {{ru|NAM}}<BR/>([[October 25]], [[2003]]) | World cup apps = 3 | year = 1999 | best = Bottom of pool, [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]], [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]], [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007]] }} The '''Namibian rugby union team''', nicknamed the '''Welwitschias''' or '''Biltongboere''', represents [[Namibia]] at [[rugby union]]. Although they are a tier-three nation in the [[International Rugby Board]] (IRB) tier system, the team have participated all three [[Rugby World Cup]] competitions since their first appearance in [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]]. They are governed by the [[Namibia Rugby Union]]. Namibia has been playing international rugby since the early 1900s. As well as having competed at the World Cup, Namibia annually competes in the [[Africa Cup]]. Until independence, players for Namibia were also eligible to represent [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]], with Namibian born Springboks including Jan Ellis and, more recently, [[Percy Montgomery]]. ==History== Rugby union has been played in the country since 1916 when it was introduced by soldiers from South Africa. Before Namibia gained its independence in 1990, the team, as South West Africa, played in South Africa's domestic club competition, the [[Currie Cup]]. The team achieved their best result in the 1989 season, where they finished third. The Namibia Rugby Union was formed in March 1990, and it joined the International Rugby Board in the same month. Independence came too late for Namibia to qualify for Rugby World Cup 1991. Hardened by regular, tough competition in the Currie Cup, the first few years of Namibian rugby union were relatively successful, their highest point being 2-0 home series victories over [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]] and [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]] in 1991. That year the Welwitschias won all 10 of their Tests, the others being five victories against Zimbabwe and one against [[Portugal national rugby union team|Portugal]] in [[Lisbon]]. During the international seasons Namibia played six games; the first of which was a 55-23 win over Zimbabwe. Following another victiory over Zimbabwe, in 1993 Namibia played [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] in Windhoek, losing 23-38. Namibia completed big victories over the [[Arabian Gulf national rugby union team|Arabian Gulf]], [[Kenya national rugby union team|Kenya]] and Zimbabwe in the initial rounds of [[1995 Rugby World Cup qualifying]]. Russia toured Namibia in 1994, defeating the home team 31-12 in Windhoek. Although Namibia defeated Zimbabwe that year, the team lost to [[Côte d'Ivoire national rugby union team|Côte d'Ivoire]] and drew with [[Morocco national rugby union team|Morocco]] (all in [[Casablanca]]). In 1996 Namibia played two matches; losing 13-15 to Zimbabwe, and then defeating them by one point in a subsequent meeting. They played two games in 1997 as well, losing to [[Tonga national rugby union team|Tonga]] and Zimbabwe. During 1998 Namibia took part in the African tournaments for [[1999 Rugby World Cup qualifying|1999 Rugby World Cup qualification]]. They started out in Round 3, where they finished second in the pool behind Zimbabwe on points difference (defeating Zimbabwe but losing to [[Tunisia national rugby union team|Tunisia]]). Namibia defeated Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco and Zimbabwe to qualify for the [[1999 Rugby World Cup]]. The 1999 World Cup marked their debut at the tournament and since then they have been Africa's second representative alongside South Africa. While they suffered heavy defeats by [[France national rugby union team|France]], [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]] and [[Canada national rugby union team|Canada]], they took pride in scoring an early [[try]] and being level with France after 20 minutes. However with a small player base, and lacking frequent or strong competition, the team has deteriorated in recent years. Recent defeats to [[Morocco]] mean they are ranked below the North African side. Their record in the World Cups has been poor, and they haven't managed a win. Their record defeat, 142-0 against [[Australian national rugby union team|Australia]] in the 2003 tournament, led to some questioning the presence of the minor teams at the tournament. Namibia initially struggled in the qualifiers for the 2007 tournament, suffering a shock defeat to [[Kenya]], their first ever to the East African nation, and another to [[Tunisia]]. After the Kenya defeat they slumped to 28th in the IRB rankings. However, after defeating Tunisia at home they were effectively through to two deciding matches against Morocco, to determine which of the two African nations would make it to France in 2007. They convincingly won both legs, qualifying for the World Cup. As the lowest ranked team at the start of the 2007 World Cup, they were given no chance in their opening game of against Ireland. They were convincingly beaten in their remaining games, against France, Argentina and Georgia respectively, to end the tournament winless. ==World Cup record== * 1987/1991 - Did not enter * 1995 - Did not qualify * 1999/2003/2007 - Qualified ==International results== Namibia scores first <table> <!-- Please update the record against other nations further down this page when adding results here--> <tr> <th>Date</th> <th>Opponent</th> <th>Venue</th> <th>Result</th> <th>Event</th> </tr> <tr> <td>September 26, 2007</td> <td> Georgia</td> <td> Lens</td> <td>0-30</td> <td>RWC 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td>September 22, 2007</td> <td> Argentina</td> <td> Marseille</td> <td>3-63</td> <td>RWC 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td>September 16, 2007</td> <td> France</td> <td> Toulouse</td> <td>10-87</td> <td>RWC 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td>September 9, 2007</td> <td> Ireland </td> <td> Bordeaux </td> <td>17 - 32</td> <td>RWC 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td>August 15, 2007</td> <td>South Africa</td> <td>Cape Town</td> <td>13-105</td> <td> RWC Warm Up (Full Test match)</td> <tr> <td>June 23, 2007</td> <td>Uganda</td> <td>Kampala</td> <td>19-20</td> <td>Africa Cup 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 16, 2007</td> <td>Romania</td> <td>Bucharest</td> <td>28-16</td> <td>IRB Nations Cup 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June </td> <td>Argentina A</td> <td>Bucharest</td> <td>13-47</td> <td>IRB Nations Cup 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 5, 2007</td> <td>Georgia</td> <td>Bucharest</td> <td>18-26</td> <td>IRB Nations Cup 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td>May 26, 2007</td> <td>Zambia</td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>83-10</td> <td>Africa Cup 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td>November 11, 2006</td> <td>Morocco </td> <td>Casablanca</td> <td>27-8</td> <td>RWC 2007 qualifying</td> </tr> <tr> <td> October 28, 2006</td> <td> Morocco </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>25-7</td> <td>RWC 2007 qualifying</td> </tr> <tr> <td> October 8, 2006</td> <td> Tunisia </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>23-15</td> <td>RWC 2007 qualifying</td> </tr> <tr> <td> September 9, 2006</td> <td> Kenya </td> <td>Nairobi</td> <td>26-30</td> <td>RWC 2007 qualifying</td> </tr> <tr> <td> July 1, 2006</td> <td> Tunisia </td> <td>Tunis</td> <td>7-24</td> <td>RWC 2007 qualifying</td> </tr> <tr> <td> May 28, 2006</td> <td> Kenya </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>84-12</td> <td>RWC 2007 qualifying</td> </tr> <tr> <td> November 5, 2005</td> <td> Morocco </td> <td>Morocco</td> <td>0-49</td> <td>CAR Top 9</td> </tr> <tr> <td> October 1, 2005</td> <td> Madagascar </td> <td>Namibia</td> <td>56-17</td> <td>CAR Top 9</td> </tr> <tr> <td> November 13, 2004</td> <td> Morocco </td> <td>Namibia</td> <td>39-22</td> <td>CAR Top 10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> September 25, 2004</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Namibia</td> <td>68-8</td> <td>CAR Top 10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> September 11, 2004</td> <td> Kenya </td> <td>Namibia</td> <td>65-7</td> <td>CAR Top 10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> August 14, 2004</td> <td> Zambia </td> <td>Zambia</td> <td>52-10</td> <td>CAR Top 10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> February 28, 2004</td> <td> Morocco </td> <td>Morocco</td> <td>7 - 27</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td> October 30, 2003</td> <td> Romania </td> <td>Launceston</td> <td>7 - 37</td> <td>RWC 2003</td> </tr> <tr> <td>October 25, 2003</td> <td> Australia </td> <td>Adelaide</td> <td>0 - 142</td> <td>RWC 2003</td> </tr> <tr> <td>October 19, 2003</td> <td> Ireland </td> <td>Sydney</td> <td>7 - 64</td> <td>RWC 2003</td> </tr> <tr> <td>October 14, 2003</td> <td> Argentina </td> <td>Gosford</td> <td>14 - 67</td> <td>RWC 2003</td> </tr> <tr> <td>August 16, 2003</td> <td> Uganda </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>82 - 13</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 14, 2003</td> <td> Manu Samoa </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>13 - 40</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 5, 2003</td> <td> South Africa A </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>25 - 9</td> </tr> <tr> <td>October 12, 2002</td> <td> Tunisia </td> <td>Tunis</td> <td>17 - 24</td> </tr> <tr> <td>September 28, 2002</td> <td> Tunisia </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>26 - 19</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 29, 2002</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Bulawayo</td> <td>42 - 30</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 14, 2002</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>19 - 15</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 15, 2002</td> <td> Madagascar </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>116 - 0</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 8, 2001</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Harare</td> <td>26 - 27</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 23, 2001</td> <td> Italy </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>24 - 49</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 16, 2001</td> <td> South Africa U-23 </td> <td>Johannesburg </td> <td>13 - 41</td> </tr> <tr> <td>May 25, 2001</td> <td> South Africa U-23 </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>15 - 60</td> </tr> <tr> <td>September 15, 2000</td> <td> Uruguay </td> <td>Montevideo</td> <td>12 - 23</td> </tr> <tr> <td>August 7, 2000</td> <td> South Africa U-23 </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>18 - 53</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 22, 2000</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>43 - 34</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 1, 2000</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Harare</td> <td>31 - 26</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 24, 2000</td> <td> South Africa U-23 </td> <td>Bloemfontein</td> <td>3 - 91</td> </tr> <tr> <td>October 17, 1999</td> <td> Germany </td> <td>Gera</td> <td>79 - 13</td> </tr> <tr> <td>October 14, 1999</td> <td> Canada </td> <td>Toulouse</td> <td>11 - 72</td> <td>RWC 1999</td> </tr> <tr> <td>August 10, 1999</td> <td> France </td> <td>Bordeaux</td> <td>13 - 47</td> <td>RWC 1999</td> </tr> <tr> <td>October 1, 1999</td> <td> Fiji </td> <td>Beziers</td> <td>18 - 67</td> <td>RWC 1999</td> </tr> <tr> <td>August 7, 1999</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Pretoria</td> <td>32 - 17</td> </tr> <tr> <td>September 16, 1998</td> <td> Morocco </td> <td>Casablanca</td> <td>17 - 8</td> </tr> <tr> <td>September 12, 1998</td> <td> Cote d'Ivoire </td> <td>Casablanca</td> <td>39 - 14</td> </tr> <tr> <td>September 5, 1998</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>32 - 26</td> </tr> <tr> <td>April 18, 1998</td> <td> Tunisia </td> <td>Tunis</td> <td>17 - 20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>January 23, 1998</td> <td> Portugal </td> <td>Lisbon</td> <td>36 - 19</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 16, 1997</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Bulawayo</td> <td>26 - 32</td> </tr> <tr> <td>May 24, 1997</td> <td> Tonga </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>14 - 20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>April 5, 1996</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Harare</td> <td>19 - 18</td> </tr> <tr> <td>January 3, 1996</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>13 - 15</td> </tr> <tr> <td>February 6, 1995</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td> </td> <td>19 - 14</td> </tr> <tr> <td> 1/6/1995</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td> </td> <td>30 - 25</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 18, 1994</td> <td> Morocco </td> <td>Casablanca</td> <td>16 - 16</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 16, 1994</td> <td> Cote d'Ivorie </td> <td>Casablanca</td> <td>12 - 13</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 14, 1994</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Casablanca</td> <td>25 - 20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>January 6, 1994</td> <td> Russia </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>12 - 31</td> </tr> <tr> <td>October 7, 1993</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Nairobi</td> <td>41 - 16</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 7, 1993</td> <td> Kenya </td> <td>Nairobi</td> <td>60 - 9</td> </tr> <tr> <td>May 6, 1993</td> <td> Wales </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>23 - 38</td> </tr> <tr> <td>March 7, 1993</td> <td> Persian Gulf </td> <td>Nairobi</td> <td>64 - 20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>August 5, 1992</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>69 - 26</td> </tr> <tr> <td>May 1, 1992</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>55 - 23</td> </tr> <tr> <td>September 12, 1991</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>46 - 20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>August 8, 1991</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Harare</td> <td>23 - 16</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 27, 1991</td> <td> Ireland </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>26 - 15</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 20, 1991</td> <td> Ireland </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>15 - 6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 8, 1991</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>53 - 9</td> </tr> <tr> <td>July 1, 1991</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>34 - 15</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 22, 1991</td> <td> Italy </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>33 - 19</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 15, 1991</td> <td> Italy </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>17 - 7</td> </tr> <tr> <td>May 24, 1991</td> <td> Portugal </td> <td>Lisbon</td> <td>34 - 12</td> </tr> <tr> <td>January 8, 1991</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Harare</td> <td>22 - 19</td> </tr> <tr> <td>November 13, 1990</td> <td> France XV </td> <td>Arras</td> <td>0 - 33</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 30, 1990</td> <td> France XV </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>20 - 25</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 23, 1990</td> <td> France XV </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>15 - 24</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 9, 1990</td> <td> Wales </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>30 - 34</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 2, 1990</td> <td> Wales </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>9 - 18</td> </tr> <tr> <td>April 20, 1990</td> <td> Portugal </td> <td>Windhoek</td> <td>88 - 18</td> </tr> <tr> <td>January 12, 1989</td> <td> Zimbabwe </td> <td>Harare</td> <td>33 - 18</td> </tr> </table> ==Record against other Nations== Their Test match record against all nations, updated to [[26 September]] [[2007]], is as follows:<ref>[http://www.rugbydata.com/namibia/teamsplayed Rugbydata.com - International Rugby Union Statistics - Statistics for Namibia - Teams Played]</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !width="200"| Nation !width="70"| Games !width="70"| Won !width="70"| Lost !width="70"| Drawn !width="70"| Percentage of wins |- bgcolor="#d0ffd0" align="center" |- | align="left" | {{ru|Arabian Gulf}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{ru|ARG}} || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|AUS}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|BOT}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{BILru}} || 4 || 0 || 4 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|CAN}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|CIV}} || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 50% |- | align="left" | {{ru|FIJ}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|FRA}} || 5 || 0 || 5 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|GEO}} || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|GER}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{ru|IRE}} || 4 || 2 || 2 || 0 || 50% |- | align="left" | {{ru|ITA}} || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 66.7% |- | align="left" | {{ru|KEN}} || 5 || 4 || 1 || || 80% |- | align="left" | {{ru|MAD}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{ru|MAR}} || 7 || 4 || 2 || 1 || 57.1% |- | align="left" | {{ru|POR}} || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{ru|ROU}} || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|RUS}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|SAM}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|RSA}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|TON}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|TUN}} || 5 || 2 || 3 || 0 || 40% |- | align="left" | {{ru|UGA}} || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 50% |- | align="left" | {{ru|URU}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|ROU}} || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|WAL}} || 3 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 0% |- | align="left" | {{ru|FRG}} || 1 || 1 || || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{ru|ZAM}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{ru|ZIM}} || 22 || 19 || 3 || 0 || 86.4% |- | align="left" | '''Total''' || '''87''' || '''46''' || '''40''' || '''1''' || '''52.9%''' |} ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} ==See also== * [[Namibia Rugby Union]] ==External links== * [http://www.namibianrugby.com Namibianrugby.com working together with the Namibian rugby union.] * [http://www.planet-rugby.com/Teams/Namibia/index.shtml Namibian rugby union news from Planet Rugby] * [http://www.rugbymagazine.com.br/artigos.asp?id=85 Namibia World Cup 2007 Preview (in Portuguese)] * [http://www.capsurlemonde.org/namibie/rugby.html Namibia World Cup 2007 Preview & follow-up (in French)] {{National rugby teams}} {{Nations Cup}} {{Africa Cup}} [[Category:African national rugby union teams]] [[Category:Rugby union in Namibia]] [[de:Namibische Rugby-Union-Nationalmannschaft]] [[es:Selección de rugby de Namibia]] [[fr:Équipe de Namibie de rugby à XV]] [[gd:Sgioba nàiseanta rugbaidh Naimibia]] [[it:Nazionale di rugby XV della Namibia]] [[nl:Namibisch rugbyteam]] [[ja:ラグビーナミビア代表]] [[pt:Seleção Namibiana de Râguebi]] [[ro:Echipa naţională de rugby a Namibiei]] [[sv:Namibias herrlandslag i rugby union]]