Namibia fights off Zim comeback
Namibia fights off Zim comeback
Namibia led 16-15 at half-time in their match with Zimbabwe at the Hage Geingob National Rugby Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday and then 34-18 before winning just 37-33 in the opening match of their triangular series sponsored by Windhoek Lager.
Each side scored four tries but the Namibian goal-kicking was more effective than Zimbabwe's. But Zimbabwe was also awarded a penalty try.
The score was 6-3 to the home when Namibian pack drove at the line and flank Renaud van Neel scored. .Chrysander Botha scored the second try to give the home side a 16-3 lead.
A try by flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya and a penalty try made the score just 16-15 at half-time.
Darryl de la Harpe gave Johan Tromp an overlap and the wing scored. and, after =each side had goaled a penalty, De la Harpe and Tromp combined to put prop Johnny Redelinghuys in for a try. A drop by Kotze took the score to 34-18 and the home side looked cruising to victory.
But the Sables came back with tries by fullback Tangai Nemadire and flank Lucky Sithole. After another Kotze penalty, Nemadire got his second try to end the scoring at 34-28.
On Wednesday evening Zimbabwe play Spain.
Scorers:
For Namibia:
Tries: Van Neel, Botha, Tromp, Redelinghuys
Con: Kotze
Pens: Kotze 4
Drop: Kotze
For Zimbabwe:
Tries: Makwanya, penalty try, Nemadire 2, Sithole
Con: Makhanya
Pens: Makwanya 2
Teams
Namibia: 15 Justin Nel, 14 Johan Tromp, 13 Danie van Wyk, 12 Darryl de la Harpe (vice-captain), 11 Chrysander Botha, 10 Theuns Kotzé, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 PJ van Lill (captain), 7 Munee Tjiueza, 6 Renaud van Neel, 5 Stefan Neustadt, 4 Muniovita Kasiringua, 3 André Schlechter, 2 Rathony Bekker, 1 Johnny Redelinghuys
Replacements: 16 Collen Smith 17 Hannes Dirsuwei 18 Stef Botha 19 Victor Rodriques 20 Arthur Bouwer 21 Sergio de la Harpe 22 Desmond Snyders
Zimbabwe: 15 Tangai Nemadire, 14 Wes Mbanje, 13 Danny Robertson, 12 Daniel Hondo, 11 Gardner Nechironga, 10 Tichafara Makwanya, 9 Scotty Jones, 8 Takunda Chifokoyo, 7 Lucky Sithole, 6 Biselele Tshamala, 5 Jan Ferreira, 4 Costa Dinha (captian), 3 Pieter Joubert, 2 Royal Mwale, 1 Tapiwa Mangezi.
Replacements: 16 Tino Chikobvu,, 17 Vakai Hove, 18 Fortune Chipendo, 19 Samson Makuku, 20 Linience Tambwera, 21 Shayne Makombe, 22 Philmon Machisa.
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha (South Africa), Tiaan Jonker (South Africa)
