Free Jacks star Malan ruled out of Namibia squad for Repechage

New England Free Jacks star Le Roux Malan has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup qualification tournament. The 26-year-old midfielder suffered a fractured cheekbone while playing for Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand recently. He’s one of a handful of notables missing from Namibia’s squad for the round-robin Repechage to be hosted at the neutral venue of Dubai.

Cheetahs flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel is ruled out with a groin injury that will require surgical repair, while Grenoble winger Gerswin Mouton tore knee ligaments in early September. Back row Richard Hardwick, also at Grenoble, is serving a six-game suspension after a send-off during a Pro D2 match earlier this month. Montauban lock Tjiuee Uanivi declined the invitation.

There are unexpected recalls for veteran backs Johan Deysel and JC Greyling, both of whom last played for the Welwitschias at the 2023 World Cup. Seattle Seawolves standout Divan Rossouw returns to the squad after missing the Africa Cup competition this summer, and there are two uncapped inclusions in young prop duo Joshua Bester and Gianluca Savoldelli.

Rossouw is joined by Anthem flyhalf or fullback Cliven Loubser and Free Jacks loose forward Wian Conradie in the 30-man outfit. Other names familiar to Major League Rugby fans are ex-Houston and Dallas eightman Adriaan Booysen and lock or flanker Max Katjijeko, formerly of RFC Los Angeles.

Meanwhile former Springbok winger Pieter Rossouw will has been appointed Head Coach by Director of Rugby Jacques Burger. Rossouw was part of Namibia’s coaching setup at the 2015 World Cup. Burger led the squad during the African qualification cycle following the abrupt resignation of Chrysander Botha in June due to increasing professional commitments.

Namibia opens their tournament against Belgium on November 8. On November 13 they’ll square off against Samoa, with Brazil their final opponent on November 18th. Only the winner of the Repechage will qualify for the 2027 World Cup to be hosted by Australia.

PROP
Otja Auala (UNAM) 4 caps
Joshua Bester (WP Academy, SA) uncapped
Aranos Coetzee (Cheetahs, SA) 37 caps
Gianluca Savoldelli (WP Academy, SA) uncapped
Haitembu Shikufa (Leopards, SA) 13 caps

HOOKER
Armand Combrinck (Maties, SA) 7 caps
Louis van der Westhuizen (Cheetahs, SA) 37 caps
Torsten van Jaarsveld (Mont-de-Marsan, FR) 25 caps

SECOND ROW
Max Katjijeko (Steaua, RO) 33 caps
Tiaan de Klerk (Pumas, SA) 5 caps
Adriaan Ludick (Steaua, RO) 17 caps
Johan Retief (Krasny Yar, RU) 32 caps

BACK ROW
Adriaan Booysen (Marmande, FR) 35 caps
Wian Conradie (New England Free Jacks, US) 32 caps
Prince Gaoseb (Steaua, RO) 21 caps
Riaan Grové (Sarlat, FR) 1 cap
Johan Luttig (Grootfontein) 2 caps

SCRUMHALF
AJ Kearns (UNAM) 7 caps
TC Kisting (Dinamo, RO) 18 caps
Jacques Theron (Wanderers) 15 caps

FLYHALF
Cliven Loubser (Anthem RC, US) 31 caps
André van der Berg (Fleurance, FR) 12 caps

MIDFIELD
Danco Burger (Wanderers) 17 caps
Johan Deysel (Wanderers) 38 caps
Divan Rossouw (Seattle Seawolves, US) 9 caps

OUTSIDE BACKS
JG Greyling (Wanderers) 46 caps
Jürgen Meyer (Wanderers) 5 caps
Aston Mukwiilongo (Kudus) 1 cap
Jay-Cee Nel (Pumas, SA) 5 caps
Danie van der Merwe (Wanderers) 4 caps

COACHING STAFF
Director of Rugby – Jacques Burger
Head Coach – Pieter Rossouw
Forward Coach – Rohan Kitshoff
Scrum Coach – Jaco Engels
Backs Coach – David Philander
Skills Coach – Darryl de la Harpe