Du Plessis blow for Namibia
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Loose forward Tinus du Plessis will miss Namibia’s match against the French Barbarians this Friday in Toulon after failing to recover from a calf strain.
Du Plessis was injured in training last week in Colwyn Bay, Wales but was included in the starting line-up for the second match on the Namibian Northern Hemisphere Tour – subject to a fitness test.
The 39 test veteran went for a run Tuesday and still had discomfort in his left calf.
It was decided to pull him out of the match 23 and allow him more time to recover ahead of the test against Portugal on the November 22.
Du Plessis’ progress will be monitored on a daily basis.
His place in the starting line-up will be taken by Mornè Blom who moves from the lock position to the side of the scrum with Stefan Neustädt comes in at lock.
Neustädt's position on the replacement bench will be filled by hooker DG Wiese who will get his first opportunity of the tour.
Namibia will not award test caps for the match against the French Barbarians who will be coached by former French coach Bernard Laporte.
Namibia: 15 Russel van Wyk, 14 Danie Dames, 13 JC Greyling, 12 Darryl de la Harpe, 11 Malcolm Moore, 10 Theuns Kotzé, 9 Ryan de la Harpe, 8 PJ van Lill, 7 Mornè Blom, 6 Rohan Kitshoff (captain), 5 Tjiuee Uanive, 4 Stefan Neustädt, 3 Andrè Schlechter, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Rathony Becker, 17 Johnnie Redelinghuys, 18 Casper Viviers, 19 DG Wiese, 20 Thomasua Forbes, 21 Eneill Buitendag, 22 Shawn Kaizemi, 23 David Philander.
Date: Friday, November 14
Venue: Stade Mayol, Toulon
Kick-off: 19.00 (18.00 GMT, 20.00 Namibia Time)
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant referees: French appointments
TMO: Iain Ramage (Scotland)
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