Six coastal rugby players are among those selected for two Namibia Rugby Union national squads, with the country’s emerging players set to take on international competition in Chile and Mauritius.
Three is part of the 28-player Namibia U20 squad has been selected for the World Rugby U20 Challenger in Chile, providing the country’s young players with an important platform to gain international experience and continue their development towards senior rugby.
The squad draws players from clubs, schools and universities across Namibia, as well as several players studying in South Africa. It includes representatives from Wanderers, UNAM, Reho Falcons, Western Suburbs, Dolphin and Kudus Rugby Clubs, while Windhoek High School, Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool, Moria Private School and Walvis Bay Private School are also represented. Tjeripo Karuhumba of Ikeys Tigers has been named captain.
The forwards include Daniel du Toit, Clive Raines, Chariton Binga, Damian Klein, Kobus Mouton, Dominique Isaacs, Tauno Hamukoto, Mc-Rein van Wyk, Goddard Husselmann, Waldre Kotze, Marchall Klein, Jano Erasmus, Jayvin du Plessis, Janco Bredenhann, Eduardo Dunn, Jayden Jansen, Romario Hoeseb, Soobramoney Sammy, Bertus Narib, Ethan Sinden, Oliver van Wyk, Wesley Haukongo, Dohan van Zyl, Keanan Diergaardt, Tjeripo Karuhumba and Isaiah Kazondovi.
The backline includes Connor Nel, Roche Brand, Nzola-Menza Nkunku and Tiaan van der Westhuizen. Head coach Christiaan Johannes Zaayman will be assisted by Gerhard Johannes Opperman, with Wilfred Nico Bezuidenhoudt as team doctor, Innis Erasmus as physiotherapist, Sergio Cole De La Harpe responsible for strength and conditioning, and Jacobus Andreas Husselmann as team manager.
A five-player shortlist has also been announced, comprising Johan Gabrielson, Pieter Jan Strydom, Carlo Hawanga, William Beukes and Derrick-Nell Bezuidenhout.
Meanwhile. Namibia will also compete in the 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Second Series in Cascavelle, Mauritius, on 3 and 4 October. Namibia has been drawn in Pool B alongside Madagascar, Kenya and Réunion. Pool A consists of South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mauritius and Egypt.
The 12-player Namibian squad includes strong representation from Kudus, United and UNAM, with each club supplying three players. Kudus’ representatives are Lucio Brooklyn Vernon Isaacs, Aurelio John Andrew Plato and Aston Mukwiilongo. United provides Johan-Daniel Nel, Enrique Emil Husselmann and Irongwa Ndunge Atshivudhi, while UNAM’s players are Aljarreau Giorg Zaahl, Lasarus Joseph and Kheeshan Lesadro Rha-Zeed Beukes.
Morgan Leonardo Esterhuizen of Western Suburbs, Schalk Willem Kuhn of Wanderers and Gino Charlvic Pandeni Wilson of Oranjemund complete the travelling squad. Keynnan De Angelo Basson of Reho Falcon, Edward Andrew Mensah of Western Suburbs and Maughan Hardo Jarman of Dolphins have been named as non-travelling reserves.
Justin Alastair Ne will coach the Sevens side, assisted by team manager Bernice Döman and physiotherapist Megon Sam.
The two selections highlight the depth being developed through Namibia’s schools, clubs and university rugby programmes, while giving the players opportunities to gain valuable international experience against strong opposition.
By Rudi Bowe
