Namibia record historic series win over Russia

ON Saturday, July 18, Namibia defeated Russia 45-5 in Windhoek to clinch the Windhoek Draught Friendship Series 2-0.

The Welwitschias beat Russia 39-19 in the first test. This is the first time the Namibian team has managed to beat Russia.

The emphatic victory underlined the huge difference a week can make to a team like Namibia with both head coach Phil Davies and backline coach Pieter Rossouw having had more time to work with the team.

Saturday’s test victory proved to be a more controlled and clinical execution of the game than the first clash between the teams last week. Russia also produced a better output but the host team improved a great deal more and with five tries to one, Namibia confirmed their dominance in front of more than 5000 spectators.

Theuns Kotzé was named Windhoek Draught Man of the Match after a polished performance with a try and a 20 point contribution.

Coach Rossouw, who had spent the last two weeks with Namibia after parting ways with the Bulls, was satisfied with the Welwitschias’ work. “We played a much more controlled game today, our game management improved and we were also a great deal more patient. We put pressure on our opponents and I was impressed with our team’s patience, it paid off with some very good tries,” said the former Springbok.

Namibia will now enjoy a three week break before facing Kenya in Windhoek on August 8 in the Africa Cup competition.

The team will continue to work at their game as they enter the last two months of preparations before their departure for the Rugby World Cup. Rossouw said they would take a lot from the series win over Russia.

“The two victories against a side ranked higher than us have given the players a great deal of confidence and to beat a side like Russia is good for us but now we need to build on that and improve even further going forward.”