Positive start by Namibia

Namibia started the next level of their preparations for the World Cup, in September, with a hard-fought 22-14 win over Tunisia in the city of Nabeul in Tunisia on Saturday.

The match, played in front of about 1,000 spectators, was also the start of their defence of the Africa Cup they won in Madagascar last year.

Looking to gain momentum in their preparations for their opening match at the World Cup, against the All Blacks on September 24, Namibia started well when their French-based flyhalf Theuns Kotzé sent another player plying his trade in France, JP van Lill, over to score under the posts just four minutes into the game.

The visitors from Southern Africa then looked set for a big score when New Zealand-based David Philander intercepted to score Namibia's second try just five minutes later.

Strange officiating by the French referee did not help Namibia's cause, but the men from Windhoek also contributed to their own problems – losing at least five of their own line-outs and giving away possession at crucial times.

Tunisia scored from a line-out drive and added a penalty to trail by 8-12 at the break.

In the second half Namibia squandered at least three try-scoring opportunities, while the Tunisians recorded points through two penalties on the rare occasions they ventured into Namibia's half.

At one stage Tunisia were leading 14-12, before a penalty by Kotze and Philander's second try of the match clinched victory for Namibia.

The Windhoek-based team will face New Zealand, Tonga, Georgia and Argentina in the pool stages at World Cup 2015.

Namibia now travel to Romania for the Nations Cup, where they will face the Argentine Jaguars, Romania and Spain.

Scorers:

For Tunisia: Scorers not available

Try: Chahir

Pens: Kalifa 3

For Namibia:

Tries: Van Lill, Philander 2

Cons: Kotzé 2

Pen: Kotzé

Teams:

Tunisia: Not available

Namibia: 15 Johan Tromp, 14 David Philander, 13 JC Greyling, 12 Danie van Wyk, 11 Conrad Marais, 10 Theuns Kotze, 9 Eneill Buitendach, 8 PJ van Lill (captain), 7 Roderique Victor, 6 Leneve Damens, 5 Nico Esterhuyze, 4 Tjiuee Uanive, 3 Johannes Coetzee, 2 Rathony Becker, 1 Jaco Engels.

Replacements: 16 DG Wiese, 17 Casper Viviers, 18 Thomasua Forbes, 19 Thinus du Plessis, 20 Eugene Jantjies, 21 Shawn Kazeimi, 22 Heinrich Smit.

Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)

Assistant referees: Sébastien Boyer (France), Jacques de Lemos (France)

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