Deysel returns to lead Namibia against NZ
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Johan Deysel returns to the starting XV to captain Namibia against the All Blacks on Sunday.
He leads a strong line-up, which features nine changes to the team which started the 3-57 defeat to South Africa on September 28. Only lockTjiuee Uanivi, left wing JC Greyling, and fullback Johan Tromp have started all three of the Welwitschias matches at Rugby World Cup 2019.
Former Namibia captain Jacques Burger recently reminded the current team that the All Blacks are human like the rest of us. Johan Deysel proved that when he scored a try against New Zealand in 2015.
Deysel missed Namibia’s opening defeat by Italy due to a shoulder injury, but appeared from the bench in the match against the Springboks in the 49th minute. The centre lived up to his nickname Buffy (in honour of his sporting slayer skills) by making an immediate, firm-tackling impression.
The regular captain’s presence should reassure the likes of Helarius Axasman Kisting, who will have every reason to remember his first start of the tournament.
Darryl De La Harpe has shaken off a slight knock to return to the bench, but first-choice flyhalf Cliven Loubser will miss out due to injury.
“He took a bump to the ankle early in the South Africa game but played the whole match with it and came off quite sore,” said coach Phil Davies. “He’s got a bit of swelling on the bone but we’re very confident he’ll be available for next week [against Canada].”
🚨 Team announcement 🚨
Johan Deysel returns to the starting XV to captain Namibia against the All Blacks on Sunday. #NZLvNAM #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/j5MIH2Dos4
ADVERTISEMENT— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 4, 2019
Namibia: 15 Johan Tromp, 14 Lesley Klim, 13 Justin Newman, 12 Johan Deysel (captain), 11 JC Greyling, 10 Helarius Axasman Kisting, 9 Damian Stevens, 8 Janco Venter, 7 Thomasau Forbes, 6 Prince Gaoseb, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 4 PJ Van Lill, 3 AJ De Klerk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Andre Rademeyer.
Replacements: 16 Obert Nortje, 17 Nelius Theron, 18 Johannes Coetzee, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Adriaan Booysen, 21 Eugene Jantjies, 22 Darryl De La Harpe, 23 Janry du Toit.
Date: Sunday. October 6
Venue: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: 13.45 (04.45 GMT, 06.45 Namibia time; 17.45 NZ time)
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
Source: @rugbyworldcup
