Namibia’s senior national rugby team, the Welwitschias, scored seven tries to run out 41-10 victorious over Zimbabwe at the World Rugby Stellenbosch Challenge Cup final at Markotter Stadium in South Africa on Saturday afternoon.

Zimbabwe took a surprise first-half lead through a Bisele Tshamala try, which Dudley White Sharpley converted to make it 7-0.

Namibia struck back through JC Greyling in the 26th minute to put the scoreline at 7-5 going into the break.

White Sharpley then added a penalty soon after halftime to make it 10-05 for Zimbabwe before Namibia scored 36 points in the last 30 minutes of the match.

Substitute Adriaan Booysen scored another try for Namibia to make it 10-10 before Max Katjijeko made it 15-10 for Namibia.

Another Namibian substitute, Lorenzo Luis, scored a try before fullback Johan Tromp added his name to the try-scorers making it 25-10.

Wian Conradie and Booysen then completed the try-scoring spree taking the scoreline to 35-10.

Replacement fly-half TC Kisting converted three tries, making the final score 41-10 in favour of Namibia.

Coach Allister Coetzee said his team made a lot of mistakes and failed to convert a lot of points in the first half.

“Our set-piece play was exceptionally well. Our lineouts, mauling and scrummaging was great. It was pleasing to have these two test matches for especially for the home-based players who got to play with overseas players and play together,” Coetzee said.

He stressed that it is important for young players in the team to play test matches as it helps them gain valuable experience, which will help the team when it comes to the World Cup qualifiers next year in July in France.

The coach said he was pleased with the players who came off the bench and scored tries as it provides him with depth.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency