Deysel misses World Cup opener against Italy
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tjiuee Uanivi will captain Namibia in their Pool B match against Italy at Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Sunday.
Head coach Phil Davies named the 28-year-old lock to lead his team, with Johan Deysel missing out.
The former Sharks centre was handed the captain’s armband following the shock retirement of captain Renaldo Bothma.
However, Deysel has not been included in the match-day 23-man squad.
Scrumhalf Eugene Jantjies will play in his fourth Rugby World Cup should he come off the bench and extend the Welwitschias’ all-time appearances record to 67.
While Lesley Klim is facing a fitness test on Saturday for a calf injury. If he fails the fitness test, PJ Walters is on standby to replace him.
“It’s a massive privilege. I’m really excited, but there’s a lot of leaders within our group that just makes my job easier” – Tjiuee Uanivi (C)#NAMvITA pic.twitter.com/v6sIIFMSyP
— Namibia Rugby (@namibia_rugby) September 20, 2019
Namibia: 15 Johan Tromp, 14 Chad Plato, 13 Justin Newman, 12 Darryl De La Harpe, 11 JC Greyling, 10 Cliven Loubser, 9 Damian Stevens, 8 Janco Venter, 7 Wian Conradie, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi (captain), 4 PJ van Lill, 3 Johannes Coetzee, 2 Torsten George Van Jaarsveld, 1 Andre Rademeyer.
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 AJ De Klerk, 18 Nelius Theron, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Max Katjijeko, 21 Eugene Jantjies, 22 Helarius Axasman Kisting, 23 Lesley Klim
Date: Sunday, September 22
Venue: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiosaka
Kick-off: 14.45 (07.45 Italy time, 07.45 Namibia time, 05.45 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
