Bonds forged ahead of fierce contest
Rugby
In a heartening display of sportsmanship, the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) hosted a joint dinner at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek, bringing together the Namibian and Portuguese rugby teams ahead of their eagerly awaited test match. Saturday's match at Hage Geingob Stadium promises to be a tense and thrilling encounter.
The dinner served as a platform for both teams to bond and share a moment of camaraderie before their on-field confrontation. The event highlighted the spirit of rugby, where intense rivalries are tempered by mutual respect and friendship.
During the dinner, the NRU president Petrie Theron expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming game and reflected on the historical context of the fixture.
“We are fortunate to have you here after so many years and are hopeful of keeping our winning streak here on home soil,” he said.
Despite Namibia’s strong historical record, having won six of their eight encounters against Portugal, he acknowledged the challenge posed by the higher-ranked Portuguese side. “We will go into this game as underdogs, but we are okay with that title.”
Theron also touched on the broader spirit of rugby: “We socialize beforehand, fight like crazy on the rugby field, and socialize after the match again. That is the beauty of rugby.”
Carlos Amado Da Silva, president of the Portuguese Rugby Federation, conveyed his team’s determination.
“Portugal has played several times against Namibia and lost. Hopefully on Saturday, we will get one over them.”
Adding a touch of humor and competitive spirit, Hermann Rust, a NRU board member, quipped: “Thank you for letting us win six out of the eight games. We will try to extend it to seven on Saturday, and you guys can try to get to three.”
As both teams prepare for their clash, the dinner at the Mercure Hotel served as a reminder of rugby’s core values—respect, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. Fans can expect an exciting and fierce contest.