Portugal favourites to overturn historic record
Rugby
The Europeans, following an impressive 2023 Rugby World Cup, lost the 2024 Rugby Europe Championship final against Georgia in March this year.
The sharp, consistent rise of Portugal in World Rugby’s rankings speaks of the threat they pose to Namibia in Saturday’s test match in Windhoek.When the two nations last met in November of 2018 in Lisbon, Namibia (ranked 23rd) beat Portugal (24th) by six points, 29-23, after the halftime score at 17-17. Coach Phil Davies’ side, captained by centre Darryl de la Harpe, responded with determined effort after losing the previous two tests on tour against Spain and Russia.
While Namibia is this week ranked in an unchanged 23rd position globally, Portugal has climbed their way to 16th.
Historically, Namibia still won six out of eight matches against Portugal – who are on their way to face Rassie Erasmus’ world champion Springboks on 20 July in Bloemfontein.
The last time the two sides met in 2018, Namibia’s try-scorers were Thomasau Forbes, JC Greyling, Obert Nortje and Johann Tromp. Cliven Loubser added three conversions and a penalty.
The Namibia team was: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Chad Plato, 13 JC Greyling, 12 Darryl de la Harpe (c), 11 Johann Tromp, 10 Cliven Loubser, 9 Damian Stevens; 8 Rohan Kitshoff, 7 Max Katjijeko, 6 Thomasau Forbes, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 4 Adriaan Ludick, 3 AJ de Klerk, 2 Obert Nortje, 1 Casper Viviers. Bench: Niël van Vuuren, André Rademeyer, Desiderius Sethie, Ruan Ludick, Cameron Langenhoven (unused), Helarius TC Kisting (unused), PW Steenkamp (unused), Justin Newman.
The nations’ other head-to-head matches:
22 Nov 2014 in Lisbon: PORTUGAL won 29-20 (halftime 12-13)
Captain Rohan Kitshoff; coach Danie Vermeulen.
Namibia try-scorers: Torsten van Jaarsveld (hooker) and Johann Tromp (wing). Fly-half Theuns Kotzé added two conversions and two penalties.
15 June 2011 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup): NAMIBIA won 29-23 (halftime 16-13)
Captain Jacques Nieuwenhuis; coach Johan Diergaardt.
Namibia try-scorers: McGrath van Wyk (wing) and a penalty try. Theuns Kotzé (on debut) added five penalties and two conversions.
20 Nov 2010 in Lisbon: PORTUGAL won 24-12 (halftime 12-9)
Captain Jacques Burger; coach Johan Diergaardt.
Namibia try-scorers: none. Eugene Jantjies kicked four penalties.
07 Nov 2009 in Lisbon: NAMIBIA won 12-9
Captain Jacques Burger; coach John Williams.
Namibia tries: none. Emile Wessels (fly-half) added four penalties.
23 Jan 1998 in Lisbon: NAMIBIA won 36-19 (halftime 20-12)
Captain Quinn Hough; coach Deon Kotze.
Namibia try-scorers: Dirk Farmer (wing), Johan Nienaber (wing) and Lukas Holtzhausen (centre). Rudie van Vuuren added five penalties and three conversions.
24 May 1991 in Lisbon: NAMIBIA won 34-12 (halftime 20-12)
Captain Gerhard Mans; coach Henning Snyman senior.
Namibia try-scorers: Gerhard Mans, Basie Buitendag (3), Eden Meyer and Arra van der Merwe. (Scoring rules: try = four points)
21 April 1990 in Windhoek: NAMIBIA won 86-9 (halftime 26-6)
Captain Gerhard Mans; coach Henning Snyman senior.
Namibia try-scorers: Gerhard Mans (6), Johan Deysel senior (2), Vince du Toit (2), Sarel Losper, Moolman Olivier, Theo Oosthuizen, Stephan Smith and André Stoop. Olivier added 11 conversions. (Scoring rules: try = four points)