Uruguay provides a big test in World Cup dress rehearsal
Rugby
Some key injuries still play into the Namibian team selection for this weekend.
A preview of their upcoming World Cup clash will be on display in Montevideo on Saturday, as Namibia take on Uruguay in their second South American Power Tour match in Montevideo on Saturday.Both sides had tough matches in their World Rugby Nations Cup opening rounds over the weekend, with Namibia losing 34-27 to Argentina XV, and Uruguay scraping a 26-25 victory over Chile.
There was plenty to play for for both teams. Namibia needs to prepare its combination for the upcoming World Cup, while the Argentina XV players are also determined to force their way into World Cup reckoning.
Indeed, experienced Pumas such as wing Bautista Delguy, hooker Facundo Bosch and tighthead prop Lucio Sordoni all started against Namibia.
Namibia fought back from a 8-26 half-time deficit to claim the lead during the second half. This stunned the Argentinians to recover and win 34-27.
Right wing Bautista Delguy claimed the winning try six minutes from full-time, scoring in the tackle of JC Greyling after being put into space.
It came after a penalty from captain Joaquín de la Vega Mendía had gotten the Argentina XV back in front.
A number of positives and concrete lessons are to be taken from the narrow loss to Argentina-A, said Namibian head coach Allister Coetzee.
“In particular, the way the pack of forwards responded in their challenge to the heavy Argentinians, and taking two bonus points from the match (losing within the margin of 7 and scoring 4 tries).’’
Namibia scrumhalf Helarius Kisting will be out of action for at least six weeks, after suffering a right forearm fracture just before halftime.
“It’s very unfortunate, and you feel for Helarius who has worked hard to earn the starting position. Injuries are unfortunately part of the game and we are hoping for a quick recovery. I know it is a race against time, but I am positive that he can still play a role in the upcoming Rugby World Cup,” Coetzee said.
Furthermore, Torsten van Jaarsveld, scorer of three tries against Argentina XV, suffered a blow to the eye. Scans confirmed that there is no fracture to the eye socket or to the eye itself, but due to bruising and swelling he will be rested against Uruguay this Saturday.
Cheetahs hooker Louis van der Westhuizen, a test veteran since 2013, will take over, while Gihard Visagie (former SWD Eagles and Strela Kazan hooker, now with Nantes in France) has been included on the bench for a possible Test debut.
Fly-half Tiaan Swanepoel (Lions) will make his debut, after contributing two conversions and a penalty last weekend in the absence of Cliven Loubser, who remained back in Namibia to recover from a knock to the knee.
Namibia’s Welwitchias will face Uruguay again in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, in Lyon on 27 September – a clash each of the rivals will be determined to win.
The positions of the three national teams in the Nations Cup remained unchanged after last weekend’s results – Uruguay at 17th, Namibia 21st and Chile 22nd.