Semi-final candidates desperate to avoid heart-break
Club rugby
A tense match-up await each of the three candidates hoping to survive the cut of the last weekend of the pool phase of the Namibia Rugby Union’s 2025 premier league.Only two of the three – FNB Unam (21 points), FNB Grootfontein (21) or Trustco United (20) – will be able to join the already qualified semi-finalists FNB Wanderers and FNB Kudus.
At the Hage Geingob Stadium in the capital, the clash between Unam and Kudus will be featured live by the NTV broadcast team.
At Grootfontein, the home side will aim to maximise the league points taken from the visit by coach Jacky Bock’s unpredictable FNB Rehoboth.
Grootfontein hooker and captain Wikus Jacobs says prop Nelius Theron and loose-forwards Hendrik van Zyl make their return after recent unavailabilities.
“Our clash against Rehoboth is basically a semi-final in itself. We have respect for their potential and we know it will take hard work to get the outcome we would like. We know what we need to do and we’ll focus to take it step by step.”
United coach Herman Lintvelt and his Wanderers counterpart Darryl de la Harpe also still needed assessment of their injury lists at last night training sessions, ahead of their respective matches. United has a trip to Swakopmund to face FNB Dolphin, who scored four tries and gave a good account in their 28-29 loss to FNB Rehoboth last weekend.
Unbeaten Wanderers will also be looking to fine-tune their impressive form in their last home match before the semi-finals, against Jood Opperman’s FNB Western Suburbs.
No home semi-finals
Wilfred Muller, the secretary. of Kudu Rugby Club, says the Walvis Bay team will be without flank Cameron Langenhoven, who has a biceps injury after last weekend’s 10-28 home loss to Wanderers.
Hooker Zwandre Viviers has led the team in Langenhoven’s earlier absences, but by yesterday their playing squads have not been confirmed.
Muller also pointed out that the visit to Unam does not present the normal level of motivation for the squad coached by Roger Thompson and Shaun White.
“With both Kudu teams already qualified and another semi-final approaching for us the next weekend, it has become challenging for our players to make themselves available for both weekends. This is particularly true due to family commitments during the long weekend, as well as work obligations.
“We engaged with employers this week, and players essentially had to choose between working this weekend or the next, as many employers have already indicated that they find it difficult to grant additional days off with the public holidays during the week.
“Regarding our semifinal preparations, we also find ourselves in a situation where motivating players is challenging, since there is little to play for this weekend.
“If there had been a home semi-final, we would have likely seen a different level of performance from Kudu Rugby Club.
“All of the top competitions globally employ a uniform set of rules: the two leading teams compete in home semi-finals. It is imperative that Namibia Rugby adopts this standard and aligns itself with international practices.
“We won't be at full strength this weekend, as many players are unavailable due to work commitments and a few injuries. However, we will show up to fulfil our final fixture of the round.
“Already, you can see the challenge of having to travel consecutive weekends, as this only benefits teams from Windhoek.”
NRU Premier League fixtures
Hage Geingob Stadium: FNB Unam v FNB Kudus (15:45). Referee: Johre Botha.
LIVE broadcaster: https://oneuptwo.com / NTV / YouTube (Network Media Hub)
Wanderers: FNB Wanderers v FNB Western Suburbs (15:45). Referee: Zaid Isaacs.
Grootfontein: FNB Grootfontein v FNB Rehoboth (15:45). Referee: Nicardo Pienaar.
Swakopmund: FNB Dolphin v Trustco United (15:45). Referee: Ngatatue Mate.
• Log standings, results and news at www.fnbrugby.my.na/
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