Rhino Week offers players opportunity

Schools rugby
Coaches Jan Dames and Frans Joubert will accompany the boys to Gauteng.
Otis Daniels
  • 3 Months Ago - 2024-06-20 00:00:00
Namibia Secondary Schools Rugby (NSSR) is sending a well balanced under-16 team to the Dries van Heerden Rhino Week in Vereeniging, South Africa.
The team members received their playing jerseys from John Heynes the CEO of the Namibia Rugby Union, who said the event marks a monumental day in the country’s rugby history.
“For the first time, our U16 team will participate in the Rhino Week in South Africa. This isn't just a tournament, it is a launchpad, a stepping stone towards greatness. With continued hard work and dedication, your journey could take you to the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Cup and the World Rugby U20 Trophy. Your ultimate goal could be the Rugby World Cup in 2031.”
Heynes reminded the players that they represent the future. “You are not just playing for yourselves, but for Namibia. Our nation has a proud rugby legacy, and it is up to you to carry it forward. We have dominated the Rugby Africa championship, and as a team, your mission is to ensure that our reign continues over the next decades. The future of Namibian rugby lies in your hands.”
The selected starting team for the opening match against the Falcons on Wednesday 26 June at 08:00: 15 Ben de Wet (Whk Affies), 14 Janco Esterhuizen (Elnatan), 13 Xavier Bampton (WHS), 12 Ignatius Kandowa (WHS), 11 Bradley Beukes (WHS), 10 Matthew Raubenheimer (Whk Gym), 9 Damian Klein (Roots Gym), 8 Steyn Fourie (Whk Gym), 7 Keaden Louw (WHS), 6 Angelo Novela (Pro-Ed), 5 Janru Greeff (Whk Gym), 4 Hannes van Wyk (Whk Gym), 3 Dirk Badenhorst (Whk Gym), 2 Luan Carsten (Whk Gym), 1 Jull-Werno Kock (M&K Gertze).
Bench: Shaun Carstens (hooker, WBPS), Bradley van Eeden (prop, Karstveld Academy, Grootfontein), Adrian Schoeman (prop, Whk Gym) replaced the injured Alonzo Stramis (De Duine), GJ Verster (loose forward, Pro-Ed), Cayden van Wyk (scrumhalf, Whk Gym), Maldanado de Wee (flyhalf/centre, Roots Gym), Armand Esterhuizen (wing/fullback, Moria), Jayden Beukes (fullback, Roots Gym) and Caleb Buys (wing, WHS).
The management staff are Jan Dames (head coach, WHS), Frans Joubert (assistant coach, Pro-Ed) and Llewellyn Manale (team manager, Walvis Bay Gym).