U21s prepare to take on world\'s best
Hockey
The dangerous sharp shooter John-Paul Britz has retained the captaincy of the Namibian Under 21 men’s field hockey team which was announced for the upcoming U21 World Cup tournament in India.Britz captained the team to the second position in the African qualifying tournament held in Windhoek earlier this year, losing only to South Africa, as both nations secured their spot.
The tournament will be held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai and Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India from 28 November to 10 December 2025, and will feature 24 teams for the first time.
Britz has also excelled in the international indoor game – including scoring ten goals at the last FIH Indoor World Cup in Croatia in February this year, which placed him seventh on the overall top-scorers list. Britz’s goals assisted the senior men’s team in reaching the quarter-finals.
The Namibian U21 men – who have qualified for the country’s first participation at any FIH field hockey World Cup – have been placed in a competitive Pool D which includes Spain, Belgium and Egypt. The North Africans finished in third place at the continental qualifier in Windhoek in April, losing to both Namibia and South Africa.
The two goalkeepers Rylan Bombosch and Lyle Bruys both excelled in this year’s NSSU schools league, for Windhoek High School and St. George’s respectively.
The finalised Namibian U21 men’s team to the World Cup:
Rylan Bombosch (Saints; goalkeeper)
Lyle Bruys (Saints; goalkeeper)
Josh van der Merwe (DTS)
Hilton Lima (Saints)
Anton Myburgh (Saints)
Ludwig van Rooyen (Saints)
John-Paul Britz (captain; Saints)
Gerhard Myburgh (Saints)
Christiaan du Raan (Saints)
Zach Philander (Saints)
Jack Fourie (Whk Old Boys)
Mathew Lassen (Saints)
James de Jager (Whk Old Boys)
Abraham Graham (Saints)
Liam Bruys (Saints)
Johan Junius (Wanderers)
Juan Swanepoel (Pro-Ed Old Boys)
Christiano Festus (Hockey School of Excellence)
The squad will be accompanied by head coach Johann Weyhe, assistant coach Randy Slabbert, technical adviser Brynn Cleak, etam manager Janine van der Merwe and fitness coach Herman Steytler.
Four non-travelling reserves will be Jadon McNally, Mark Wallace, Derick Nel (all from Saints) and Shindume Matuzuka (Hockey School of Excellence).