Namibia come from behind

Namibia came from behind to beat Zimbabwe 35-26 at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, in the opening match of the Triangular Tournament which also involves Kenya.

Zimbabwe led 17-13 at half-time in the exciting match.

In the first half each side scored two tries but in the second half Namibia scored three tries to nil.

Namibia's pack was too strong for Zimbabwe's though the Sables' backs caused the Namibians trouble. Namibia's power told especially as the match wore on

Namibia scored first when right wing Sergio de la Harpe went over in the corner but Zimbabwe struck back. First Gardner Nechironga scored a try, then  Lenience Tambwira kicked a penalty and Sean Moan scored a try for a 17-5 lead.

Before half-time left wing Heinrich Smit scored a fine individual try in the corner and Theuns Kotzé kicked a conversion.

Tambwira kicked a penalty and then PJ van der Lil charged and lock Morné Blom scored the try that made the scores 20-all. From then on the Biltongboere took over.

Van der Lill was again in profitable action when Sergio de la Harpe scored his second try. A penalty by the home side and two by the Sables took the score to 30-26.

Namibia’s pressure started to tell in the second half and they drew level at 20-20 through a converted try by lock Morné Blom after a storming run by Van Lill.

Sergio de la Harpe went over for his second try after a fine buildup involving Van Lill and Chrysander Botha, but Zimbabwe kept in touch through two Tambwira penalties, to make the score 30-26.

Fullback Chrysander Botha counterattacked and Blom scored his second try.

Namibia however had the final say when lock Blom touched down for his second try after a quick counterattack by Chrysander Botha.

The remaining two matches in the tournament look set to be exciting.

Scorers:

For Namibia:

Tries: Sergio de la Harpe 2, Blom 2,  Smit

Cons: Kotzé 2

Pens: Kotzé 2

For Zimbabwe:

Tries: Nechironga, Moan

Cons: Tambwira 2

Pens: Tambwira 4

Teams

Namibia: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Sergio de la Harpe,13 Johan Tromp, 12 Darryl de la Harpe, 11 Heinrich Smit, 10 Theuns Kotzé, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 PJ van Lill (captain), 7 Tinus du Plessis, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Morné Blom, 4 Munee Tjiueza, 3 André Schlechter, 2 Rathony Bekker, 1 Jaco Engels

Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Johnny Redelinghuys, 18 Shaun du Preez, 19 Stefan Neustädt, 20 Janco Venter, 21 Eneill Buitendag, 22 Johan Deysel, 23 Justin Nel

Zimbabwe: 15 Tangai Nemadire, 14 Gardner Nechironga, 13 Sean Moan, 12 Daniel Hondo (captain),11 Stephan Hunduza, 10 Lenience Tambwera, 9 Hilton Mudariki, 8 Kingsley Lang, 7 Jacques Leitao, 6 Fortune Chipendu, 5 Michael Passaportis, 4 Jan Ferreira, 3 Nick Winwood, 2 Keith Murray , 1 Pieter Joubert

Replacements: 16 Royal Mwale, 17 Kevin Nqindi, 18 Martin Wolfenden, 19 Andrew Rose, 20 Phil Machisa, 21 Boyd Rouse, 22 Fidel Nyabusha, 23 Lungile Tshuma

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Assistant Referees: Jacky Husselmann (Namibia), Danie Koen (Namibia)

*In Castres, Senegal beat Cote d'Ivoire 33-10.