Erongo rugby will be proudly represented at the 2026 Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthés Trophy after Joshwin Solomons and Tiaan van der Westhuizen were named in Namibia’s final squad for the continental championship in Uganda.
Solomons, who plays for Kudus Rugby Club, and Van der Westhuizen, a learner at Walvis Bay Private School, are among the 28 players selected by the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) to compete at the tournament, which will be held from 7 to 15 August.
The squad consists of 16 forwards and 12 backs, selected following an extensive selection process and a demanding preparation programme. The Barthés Trophy is Africa’s premier Under-20 rugby competition and serves as a pathway to the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy, with the tournament winner earning qualification for next year’s global event.
Namibia enters this year’s competition as the defending Performance Division champions, having claimed the title in Zimbabwe last year, and will be looking to retain its crown against Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tunisia. Namibia will begin its title defence against Tunisia on 7 August, after Kenya face Zimbabwe in the tournament opener.
The second round of matches on 11 August will see Kenya take on Tunisia, while Namibia meet Zimbabwe in what is expected to be a crucial encounter. The competition concludes on 15 August, with Namibia facing Kenya and Zimbabwe taking on Tunisia.
The tournament is expected to showcase the next generation of African rugby talent while strengthening player development across the continent, with Namibia aiming to once again prove its status as one of Africa’s leading junior rugby nations.
The coaching and management team is led by head coach Christiaan Johannes Zaayman, assisted by Gerhard Johannes Opperman. The support staff includes Dr Wilfred Nico Bezuidenhout (team doctor), Megan Sam (physiotherapist), Sergio Cole de la Harpe (strength and conditioning coach) and Jacobus Andreas Husselmann (team manager).
The selected squad features players from leading Namibian clubs and schools, as well as several studying at the University of Stellenbosch, highlighting the depth of emerging rugby talent within the national programme.
Namibia Under-20 Squad: Forwards; Tauno Sekupe Junior Hamukoto (UNAM RC), Stephanus Christiaan Burger (University of Stellenbosch), Marchall Charmar Klein (UNAM RC), Benjamin Lausberg Mostert (University of Stellenbosch), Joshwin Solomons (Kudus RC), Pandeni Cyrus Shipena (WAP), Keanan Keanu Louw (WHS), Isaiah Peter-John Kazondovi (WHS), Jacobus Mouton (WAP), Tjeripo Seuakouje Karuhumba (Wynberg), Tiaan van der Westhuizen (Walvis Bay Private School), Pieter Jan Strydom (RTA), Nzola-Menza Nkunku (Western Suburbs RC), John Connor Nel (University of Stellenbosch), Eduardo Otto Dunn (WAP), Valentino Gebhardt Niigambo (UNAM RC). Backs; Dominique Damian Isaacs (Wanderers RC), Damian Jordan Klein (WHS), Mc-Rein Luther Van Wyk (WHS), William Bernard Beukes (WHS), Jano Louw Erasmus (University of Stellenbosch), Soobramoney Sammy (United RC), Ethan Jordan Sinden (Wanderers RC), Jayden Daniel Jansen (Reho Falcons RC), Derrick-Nell Bezuidenhout (UNAM RC), Carlo Maurice Hawanga (United RC), Bertus Ricardo Les-Narib (Wanderers RC) and Wesley Carlos Haukongo (Reho Falcons RC).
By Rudi Bowe
