WINDHOEK, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Rugby Union (NRU) on Tuesday appointed an all-Namibian coaching team to lead the squad in the upcoming Rugby World Cup qualifiers campaign in 2025.
A notable appointment is that of Jacques Burger, a retired Namibian rugby union loose forward and former captain who was appointed Director of Rugby, replacing South Africa's Allister Coetzee.
The NRU, at a media brief and on its social media page, announced, the full coaching team, which includes another fellow and former Namibian Rugby player, Chrysander Botha as head coach, with Jaco Engels, Rohan Kitshoff, and David Philander as assistant coaches and strength and conditioning coach, Sergio de la Harpe.
This year, Namibia lost its hold on the Rugby Africa Cup as they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Zimbabwe.
The 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, set to be held in Uganda, serves as a two-year qualification tournament for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup, organized by World Rugby. Current Rugby Africa Cup champions Zimbabwe secured victory against Algeria in the final match of the 2024 tournament held in July.
The 2025 tournament will include participating countries such as Zimbabwe, Algeria, Namibia, Kenya, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, and the winner of the 2024 Men's Rugby Africa Cup Repechage.
According to World Rugby, the men's Rugby World Cup 2027 will be held in Australia and will feature 24 teams after the World Rugby Council approved the historic re-imagination of the competition format, window, and timing. ■
