All eyes on Falcon v United
Club rugby
On the final weekend of league matches in the 2024 Namibia Rugby Union premier league – both to be played at Rehoboth – all eyes of neutral observers will be on the Dr Lemmer High School field.The 80 minutes between visiting Trustco United and hosts FNB Reho Falcon will determine whether the former’s reign as defending title holders will come to an end.
Robbie Dickson’s United has the unlikely challenge of overwhelming a proud Reho Falcon side by 53 points, as well as scoring a minimum of seven tries, if they wish to overtake FNB Grootfontein who has completed their fixtures and is currently placed fourth on the log with the semi-finals to come (scheduled for Saturday 31 August).
United will not be fooled by their opponents’ 35-74 loss to an inspired log leader FNB Unam last weekend. Falcon has been no push-overs this season – earning respect on their way to winning six of their 15 matches (including their home match against Unam, by 21-17), with one draw against United (21-21) at Gemsbok Park in Olympia in early May.
Captained by number 8 Cameron Markus, Reho Falcon will be expected to put up a stubborn performance to end their season on a high, following the personal loss they suffered in 2024 in a road accident that killed four people.
Similarly, United has blown hot and cold this season, and has left it late in their hope to sneak into the semi-finals. This background should create a thoroughly intriguing clash of styles.
Kudus visit
FNB Kudus coach Shaun White yesterday confirmed that the Walvis Bay club will honour both the fixtures of their first and second teams against FNB Rehoboth at the Rehoboth High School field on Saturday.
Despite not much being at stake for either of the premier league teams, White points out: “Our second team can finish top of the log if we win against Rehoboth on Saturday.”
Kudus’ first team will finish in third spot on the log irrespective of how their match at Rehoboth ends.
White will be without some influential players including centre Justin Newman (out of town), hooker Zwandre Viviers, prop Craig Swartz, flank Diandre Plaatjie, wing Lloyd Jacobs (all through work commitments) and Scott Winborn (fly-half or centre, injured).
According to White, speaking before last night’s final traiining session, his first team could look something like this: 15 Irongwa Atshivudhi, 14 Paolo Andrews, 13 Suramie Kambombo, 12 PJ Walters (captain), 11 Ashton Mukwiilongo, 10 Kyle Wentzel, 9 Devon Langenhoven, 8 Joshua Jacobs, 7 Max Katjijeko, 6 Ja-Tamson van der Berg, 5 Kenneth Seibeb, 4 Clayton Camm, 3 Lorenco Calaca, 2 Jarren Koning, 1 Anthony Hoebeb. Bench: Roberto Lensley, Hillary Mphatso, Clinton, Tertius Arangies, Cameron Langenhoven, Rayton Paulse, Aurelio Plato, Lucio Isaacs.