Titanic clashes on opening weekend

Neither of them are the reigning champions, but the weight of expectation of any clash between FNB Unam and FNB Wanderers will ensure another eagerly waited spectacle on the opening weekend of the 2024 Nambia Rugby Union premier league.

Title holders Trustco United, still under their winning coach Robbie Dickson, kick off their defence with a trip away to FNB Grootfontein, whose heavy pack of forwards presents a challenge like few others.

For neutrals in the capital, a visit to the Unam Stadium could be a rewarding experience, to witness a meeting that over recent years have delivered several classics.

Wanderers, who lost the 2023 final due to United fullback Renier Benade’s successful penalty in the last seconds, have since regathered for another strong campaign under coach Dirk Human, winning the pre-season Castle Lite ten-a-side tournament.

Human however has a long list of injury and unavailability concerns.

National team captain Johan Deysel, after five seasons as a professional at French club Colomiers, has been the most high-profile of Wanderers acquisitions in a long time.

But of course, Deysel is serving his headline-grabbing ban from the 2023 World Cup, for the red card following his head clash with France captain Antoine Dupont.

Wanderers will also be without fellow World Cup squad members Danco Burger (work) and André van der Berg (rib injury), as well as former test wing Warren Ludwig (groin).

Danie van der Merwe (ankle), Rainer Augustyn (hamstring), Driaan Vorster (work), Pieter Diergaardt (ankle), Pierre Venter (elbow), Kian Fransman and DJ Holtzhauzen (both rehab from knee injuries) are sure to be absent from the Unam clash, while hardworking lock Sheron Rossouw was yesterday still awaiting clearance after a concussion.

At least Darius von Solms will be ready to start, after recovering from a leg injury during the pre-season friendly win against visiting Grootfontein two weekends ago.



UNAM’S EXPORTS

Flyhalf Delron Brandt, scrumhalf AJ Kearns and loose-forwards Rowan Jansen and Gilad Plaatjies have all greeted their Unam team-mates before taking the opportunity to play at the same club in Czech Republic, named RC Dragon Brno.

Unam head coach Russel van Rooi did not announce his team yesterday at the time of going to print.

• The Unam v Wanderers first-team match will be broadcast by the NTV production team (kick-off at 15:45) on https://oneuptwo.com/channelshows?NRU.

• At the same time and on the same website, our coastal production team will bring the live broadcast of FNB Kudus v FNB Reho Falcon, from Jan Wilken Stadium in Walvis Bay.

Our reporter Otis Finck says new faces are expected in the Kudus’ blue and white, looking to grab their opportunities.

Kudus have conceded a few players to Swakopmund neighbours Dolphin, who have taken the big step up to the NRU premier league in 2024, after reaching the 2023 NRU first division final.

“Kudus also have injuries to William Lottering, Allistair Miller, Lezardo Vos and Alexander Jansen to consider. Some guys who played third team last year now find themselves in the Kudus first team. For them the situation is sink or swim.”

Entrance at the Kudus match is N$30 for adults, N$20 for children, N$30 per vehicle and N$50 per coolbox.



NEWCOMER DOLPHIN

While Dolphin did not receive approval to be sponsored by FNB Namibia like most of their rivals, the Swakopmund club’s chairman Rowhan Besser confirmed that they have secured Simonis Storm as their title sponsor.

Dolphin kick off with a trip inland to face FNB Rehoboth, who are under a new (returning) coach in Jood Opperman.

Dolphin’s entry means the premier league now has nine teams competing, with FNB Western Suburbs starting with a bye this weekend.



TEAM LISTS RECEIVED YESTERDAY

TRUSTCO UNITED (v FNB Grootfontein): 1 Jano Otto, 2 Callie Swanepoel, 3 Richter Steenkamp , 4 Warren Marais, 5 Leon Mutonga, 6 Feddy Mazila, 7 Zander Bronkhorst, 8 Thehard Lintvelt (v.c.), 9 Jahno du Plessis, 10 Hanreco van Zyl, 11 Morgan Esterhuizen, 12 JD Nel (captain), 13 Jandre Esterhuizen, 14 Phillip Pachawo, 15 Lorenzo Louis. Bench: Kristopher Peacock, Brandon Namaseb, Kamaa Kajau, Mbiri Mbai, Christo Gresse, Ricardo Swartz, Hardus Louwrens.

FNB GROOTFONTEIN 1 (v United): 1 Nelius Theron, 2 Wikus Jacobs (captain), 3 Bernd Beddies, 4 Tehan Martinson, 5 Pieter-Daan Kok, 6 James Hinga, 7 Oliver Mouton, 8 Johan Luttig, 9 Zémuel Marais, 10 Dhaamin Bassardien, 11 Lasarus Joseph, 12 Niel Holtzhausen (v.c.), 13 Jahzeél Marais, 14 Luis Talaya, 15 AJ Vercuil. Bench: Riaan Potgieter, Harry Ngasia, Metarere Ngeenguno, Hendrik van Zyl, Justin Pollman, Jan Breedt, Keno Shetukana.

FNB REHOBOTH (teen Dolphin): 15 William Klazen, 14 Dolano Vries, 13 Brandon Dentlinger, 12 Hillian Beukes (captain), 11 Bayern Bayer, 10 Ascher Coetzee, 9 Miquel Busch, 8 Edward Drotsky, 7 Ray-Eez Feris, 6 Chase Diergaardt, 5 Titus Mathias, 4 Freddy Krohne, 3 Carl-William Freygang, 2 Jeandre Cloete, 1 Jeremy Cloete. Bench: Udo Mall, Delano Coetzee, Charl Freygang, Deevan Mathys, Denver Beukes, Khee-Shaan Beukes, Xauvier van Wyk.

SIMONIS STORM DOLPHIN (v Rehoboth): 15 Quinton Fielding, 14 Ronaldo Britzze, 13 Lee-anzo Losper, 12 Vernon McKay, 11 Zaino van Wyk, 10 Rewaldo Diergaardt, 9 Alex Murtz, 8 Gregory Namaseb, 7 Lorenzo Groenewald, 6 Keanu Engelbrecht, 5 Gregory Coetzee, 4 Romario Janga (captain), 3 Tjino Tjirare, 2 Lorenco Klaase, 1 Maleagi Geinub. Bench: Tiaan Strauss, Rudi Gaweseb, Louis van Zyl, Shaun Useb, Shaheem Kharugab, Brendon Brendell, Kapurua Tjiriange.

FNB KUDUS (v FNB Reho Falcon): 1 Anthony Hoebeb, 2 Lorenco Lensley, 3 Lorenco Calaca, 4 Tertius Arangies, 5 Enzio Kotzee, 6 Clayton Pienaar, 7 Kenneth Seibeb, 8 Cameron Langenhoven, 9 Rayton Paulse, 10 Aurelio Plato, 11 Lucio Izaaks, 12 PJ Walters, 13 Justin Nel, 14 Divan Steyn, 15 Lloyd Jacobs. Bench: Jarren Koning, Craig Swartz, Franco Vries, Jarreth Koning, Percy Nash, Scott Winborn, Carlton Stevens.