Namibia national rugby union team

For the Namibian representative rugby union team playing in South African domestic competitions, see Welwitschias.

Namibia

Nickname	Welwitschias
Emblem	African fish eagle
Union	Namibia Rugby Union
Director of Rugby	Jacques Burger
Head coach	Pieter Rossouw
Captain	Johan Deysel
Most caps	Eugene Jantjies (70)
Top scorer	Theuns Kotzé (430)
Top try scorer	Chrysander Botha (28)
Home stadium	Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium
First colours Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current	26 (as of 19 June 2026)
Highest	18 (2017)
Lowest	29 (2006)
First international
South West Africa 0–9 British and Irish Lions (Windhoek, Namibia; 5 July 1955)
Biggest win
Namibia 118–0 Tunisia (Windhoek, Namibia; 23 June 2018)
Biggest defeat
Australia 142–0 Namibia (Adelaide, Australia; 25 October 2003)
World Cup
Appearances	7 (first in 1999)
Best result	Pool stage (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
Website	nru.com.na

The Namibia national rugby union team (nicknamed the Welwitschias) represents Namibia in men's international rugby union competitions. They are a tier-two nation in the World Rugby tier system, and have participated in seven Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999. They are governed by the Namibia Rugby Union.

Namibia has been playing international rugby since the early 1900s. As well as having competed at the World Cup, Namibia competes annually in the Africa Cup. Until independence, players for Namibia were also eligible to represent South Africa, with Namibian-born Springboks including Jan Ellis.

History

1990s

Rugby union has been played in Namibia since 1916 when it was introduced by soldiers from South Africa who had invaded the German-run colony.

Before Namibia gained its independence in 1990, the team, as South West Africa, played in South Africa's domestic club competition, the Currie Cup. The team achieved their best result in the 1988 season, where they finished third.

The Namibia Rugby Union was formed in March 1990, and it joined the International Rugby Board in the same month. Independence came too late for Namibia to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Hardened by regular, tough competition in the Currie Cup, the first few years of Namibian rugby union were relatively successful, their highest point being 2–0 home series victories over Ireland and Italy in 1991. That year the Welwitschias won all 10 of their Tests, the others being five victories against Zimbabwe and one against Portugal in Lisbon. One of Namibia's players, Andre Stoop was signed by English champion rugby league club, Wigan.

During the international seasons Namibia played six games; the first of which was a 55–23 win over Zimbabwe. Following another victory over Zimbabwe, in 1993 Namibia played Wales in Windhoek, losing 38–23. Namibia completed big victories over the Arabian Gulf rugby team, Kenya and Zimbabwe in the initial rounds of 1995 Rugby World Cup qualifying.

Russia toured Namibia in 1994, defeating the home team 31–12 in Windhoek. Although Namibia defeated Zimbabwe that year, the team lost to Côte d'Ivoire and drew with Morocco (all in Casablanca). In 1996 Namibia played two matches; losing 15–13 to Zimbabwe, and then defeating them by one point in a subsequent meeting. They played two games in 1997 as well, losing to Tonga and Zimbabwe.

During 1998 Namibia took part in the African tournaments for 1999 Rugby World Cup qualification. They started out in Round 3, where they finished second in the pool behind Zimbabwe on points difference (defeating Zimbabwe but losing to Tunisia). Namibia defeated Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco and Zimbabwe to qualify for the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

The team's participation was put in doubt when the Namibian government's Sports Commission barred the team from participating in a South African competition it had been using as preparation, and threatened to stop the team from taking part in the World Cup. This followed criticisms from non-white rugby clubs that the Namibian Rugby Union displayed racist attitudes. Ultimately, however, the team were allowed to take part.

The 1999 World Cup marked their debut at the tournament and since then they have been Africa's second representative alongside South Africa. While they suffered heavy defeats by France, Fiji and Canada, they took pride in scoring an early try and being level with France after 20 minutes.

2000–present

The national rugby union team of Namibia in 2015.

2023 Rugby World Cup match between New Zealand (All Blacks) and Namibia in Toulouse, France.

With a small player base, and lacking frequent or strong competition, the team has deteriorated in the 21st century. Their record in the World Cups has been poor as they have not yet managed a win. Their record defeat, 142–0 against Australia in the 2003 tournament, led to some questioning the presence of the minor teams at the tournament.

Namibia initially struggled in the qualifiers for the 2007 tournament, suffering a shock defeat to Kenya, their first ever to the African Great Lakes nation, and another to Tunisia. Following the Kenya loss, the Namibian squad slumped to 28th in the IRB rankings. However, after defeating Tunisia at home, the team was effectively through to two deciding matches against Morocco, to determine which of the two African nations would make it to France in 2007. Namibia convincingly won both legs, qualifying for the World Cup.

As the lowest ranked team at the start of the 2007 World Cup, Namibia was given no chance in its opening game of against Ireland. However, the Namibian squad frustrated Ireland, then the 5th ranked team in the world, and scored two tries for its narrowest World Cup loss of 32–17. They were convincingly beaten in their games with Argentina (63–3) and France (87–10). And, in the game in which they were seen as having the best chance to win, they suffered a disappointing 30–0 loss to Georgia, to end the tournament winless.

The African side was able to win the IRB Nations Cup in 2010.

Namibia achieved their fourth World Cup qualification in a row after defeating Côte d'Ivoire in 2011. They were drawn into Pool D, with South Africa, Wales, Fiji and Samoa. Their first match in the Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand (at the Rotorua International Stadium) resulted in a defeat by Fiji by 45–29. Their second match in this tournament was a 49–12 loss to Samoa but the third was an 87–0 loss to South Africa. In their final pool game, Wales proved to be too strong, as Namibia conceded 12 tries in an 81–7 defeat. Theuns Kotzé provided his side's one consolation, as his conversion of a Heinz Koll try made him Namibia's all-time highest Rugby World Cup points scorer.

The Welwitschias played the 2015 Vodacom Cup, collecting six defeats and one win against the Limpopo Blue Bulls. Namibia qualified for their fourth Rugby World Cup in 2015. They were placed in Pool C with New Zealand, Georgia, Tonga and Argentina. They managed to lose to Georgia by a single point (17–16), their best result ever and winning their first bonus point at the competition.

They qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup for the sixth time by winning the Rugby Africa Gold Cup and joined pool B along with South Africa, New Zealand, Italy and Canada. The team lost to New Zealand, South Africa and Italy, while the match versus Canada was cancelled because of Typhoon Hagibis.

Wins against Tier 1 nations

15 June 1991	Namibia	17–7	Italy	Windhoek

22 June 1991	Namibia	33–19	Italy	Windhoek

20 July 1991	Namibia	15–6	Ireland	Windhoek

27 July 1991	Namibia	26–15	Ireland	Windhoek

South West Africa Record vs Touring Teams

Before independence Namibia played as South West Africa and played touring teams who toured South Africa.

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %	For	Aga	Diff
Australia	3	0	2	1	0.00%	28	71	−43
British and Irish Lions	4	0	4	0	0.00%	22	69	—47
Chile	2	1	1	0	50.00%	66	48	+18
France	2	0	1	1	0.00%	19	48	—29
New Zealand	2	0	2	0	0.00%	3	43	−40
Paraguay	1	1	0	0	100.00%	110	0	+110
Uruguay	1	1	0	0	100.00%	38	22	+16
Southern Rhodesia	6	1	5	0	16.67%	58	136	−78
Total	21	4	15	2	19.05%	344	437	−93

Date	Score	Touring Team	Venue
5 July 1955	0–9	British and Irish Lions	Mabel Vlok Park, Windhoek
11 July 1959	3–19	Southern Rhodesia	Otjiwarongo
8 July 1960	3–27	New Zealand	South West Stadium, Windhoek
27 July 1961	14–14	Australia	South West Stadium, Windhoek
12 June 1962	6–14	British and Irish Lions	South West Stadium, Windhoek
31 July 1963	6–24	Australia	South West Stadium, Windhoek
13 June 1964	15–6	Southern Rhodesia	South West Stadium, Windhoek
13 March 1966	3–19	Southern Rhodesia	Hartsfield Stadium, Bulawayo
15 June 1968	0–23	British and Irish Lions	South West Stadium, Windhoek
21 September 1968	8–34	Southern Rhodesia	South West Stadium, Windhoek
1 September 1969	8–33	Australia	South West Stadium, Windhoek
4 July 1970	0–16	New Zealand	South West Stadium, Windhoek
8 June 1971	6–35	France	South West Stadium, Windhoek
18 May 1974	16–23	British and Irish Lions	South West Stadium, Windhoek
17 June 1975	13–13	France	South West Stadium, Windhoek
7 May 1977	15–22	Southern Rhodesia	South West Stadium, Windhoek
29 October 1983	30–33	Chile	Santiago
5 November 1983	38–22	Uruguay	Montevideo
24 October 1988	36–15	Chile	Santiago
3 November 1988	110–0	Paraguay	Asunción

Overall record

Main article: Namibia at the Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup record										Qualification
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	Squad		Pos	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA
1987	Part of South Africa: Not an independent country									—
1991	Did not enter
1995	Did not qualify									2nd	6	4	1	1	218	104
1999	Pool Stage	3	0	0	3	42	186	Squad		1st	5	4	0	1	127	78
2003		4	0	0	4	28	310	Squad		P/O	4	3	0	1	197	73
2007		4	0	0	4	30	212	Squad		P/O	6	4	0	2	190	96
2011		4	0	0	4	44	266	Squad		P/O	6	5	1	0	155	81
2015		4	0	0	4	70	174	Squad		1st	7	5	0	2	289	159
2019		4	0	1	3	34	175	Squad		1st	10	10	0	0	619	133
2023		4	0	0	4	37	255	Squad		P/O	5	4	0	1	206	58
2027	Did not qualify									P/O	8	6	0	2	291	169
2031	To be determined
Total	—	27	0	1	26	285	1578	—		—	57	44	2	11	2292	951
Champions   Runners–up   Third place   Fourth place   Home venue

During Typhoon Hagibis; Namibia v Canada was to be cancelled and recorded as 0–0 draw

Men's World Rugby Rankings

Top 30 as of 20 July 2026

Rank	Change	Team	Points
1		South Africa	093.96
2		New Zealand	092.28
3		Ireland	088.08
4		France	087.43
5		England	085.68
6		Scotland	084.78
7		Argentina	083.13
8		Australia	081.61
9		Fiji	078.00
10	1	Japan	076.42
11	1	Wales	076.38
12	2	Italy	076.30
13		Georgia	073.94
14		United States	070.22
15		Portugal	069.39
16	2	Chile	066.94
17	1	Spain	066.83
18	1	Uruguay	065.75
19	1	Tonga	065.14
20	1	Samoa	064.73
21	1	Romania	062.45
22	1	Belgium	061.03
23	1	Hong Kong	060.74
24	1	Canada	060.37
25		Zimbabwe	057.68
26		Namibia	056.96
27		Netherlands	056.44
28		Switzerland	055.47
29		Czech Republic	054.78
30		Poland	054.54

Namibia's historical rankings

Source: World Rugby
Graph updated to 16 February 2026

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Namibia national XV at test level up until 28 June 2026, updated after match with Zambia..

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %	For	Aga	Diff
Algeria	1	1	0	0	100%	21	7	+14
Arabian Gulf	1	1	0	0	100%	64	20	+44
Argentina	3	0	3	0	0%	36	194	−158
Argentina XV	1	0	1	0	0%	27	34	−7
Australia	1	0	1	0	0%	0	142	−142
Belgium	1	0	1	0	0%	15	22	−7
Brazil	1	1	0	0	100%	40	31	+9
Burkina Faso	2	2	0	0	100%	109	10	+99
Canada	3	1	2	0	33.33%	67	126	—59
Chile	1	1	0	0	100%	28	26	+2
Fiji	2	0	2	0	0%	43	116	−73
France	3	0	3	0	0%	23	230	—207
France XV	2	0	2	0	0%	36	49	—13
Georgia	5	1	4	0	20%	73	112	—39
Germany	2	2	0	0	100%	137	33	+104
Hong Kong	1	1	0	0	100%	22	12	+10
Ireland	4	2	2	0	50%	65	117	−52
Italy	6	2	4	0	33.33%	110	247	—137
Italy A	1	0	1	0	0%	21	43	—22
Ivory Coast	6	2	3	1	33.33%	127	98	+29
Kenya	13	11	2	0	84.62%	642	252	+390
Madagascar	5	4	1	0	80%	362	94	+268
Morocco	8	5	2	1	62.5%	196	144	+52
New Zealand	3	0	3	0	0%	26	200	−174
Portugal	9	6	3	0	66.67%	280	185	+95
Romania	6	1	5	0	16.67%	66	158	−92
Russia	7	2	5	0	28.57%	141	183	−42
Samoa	3	0	3	0	0%	33	115	—82
Senegal	5	5	0	0	100%	218	57	+161
South Africa	3	0	3	0	0%	16	249	—233
Spain	7	2	5	0	28.57%	134	174	—40
Tonga	2	0	2	0	0%	35	55	−20
Tunisia	11	8	3	0	72.73%	368	159	+209
Uganda	6	5	1	0	83.33%	266	113	+153
United Arab Emirates	1	1	0	0	100%	86	29	+57
Uruguay	6	1	5	0	16.67%	156	204	−48
Wales	4	0	4	0	0%	69	171	−102
West Germany	1	1	0	0	100%	54	7	+47
Zambia	3	3	0	0	100%	203	32	+171
Zimbabwe	35	30	5	0	85.71%	1,277	737	+540
Total	185	102	81	2	55.14%	5,692	4,987	+705

Players

Current squad

On 28 October, Namibia named a 30-player squad ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament.

Head Coach: Pieter Rossouw

• Caps Updated: 13 November 2025 (after Samoa v Namibia)

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Armand Combrinck	Hooker	(1997-04-17) 17 April 1997	7	Maties Rugby Club
Louis van der Westhuizen	Hooker	(1995-02-25) 25 February 1995	42	Cheetahs
Torsten van Jaarsveld	Hooker	(1987-06-30) 30 June 1987	29	Stade Montois
Otja Auala	Prop		6	University of Namibia
Joshua Bester	Prop		0	Western Province Academy
Aranos Coetzee	Prop	(1988-03-14) 14 March 1988	42	Cheetahs
Gianluca Savoldelli	Prop		2	Western Province Academy
Haitembu Shikufa	Prop	(2000-11-28) 28 November 2000	16	Leopards
Tiaan de Klerk	Lock	(2001-06-12) 12 June 2001	6	Pumas
Max Katjijeko	Lock	(1995-04-08) 8 April 1995	37	CSA Steaua București
Adriaan Ludick	Lock	(1998-07-22) 22 July 1998	20	CSA Steaua București
Johan Retief	Lock	(1995-10-10) 10 October 1995	36	Krasny Yar
Adriaan Booysen	Back row	(1996-05-17) 17 May 1996	30	US Marmande
Wian Conradie	Back row	(1994-10-14) 14 October 1994	38	New England Free Jacks
Prince ǃGaoseb	Back row	(1998-07-07) 7 July 1998	25	CSA Steaua București
Riaan Grové	Back row	(2003-04-04) 4 April 2003	2	Sarlat
Johan Luttig	Back row	(1996-05-28) 28 May 1996	5	Grootfontein
AJ Kearns	Scrum-half	(1998-10-12) 12 October 1998	9	University of Namibia
TC Kisting	Scrum-half	(1994-01-13) 13 January 1994	23	Dinamo București
Jacques Theron	Scrum-half	(1999-03-22) 22 March 1999	14	Wanderers
Cliven Loubser	Fly-half	(1997-02-24) 24 February 1997	35	Anthem RC
André van den Berg	Fly-half	(1998-01-23) 23 January 1998	14	AS Fleurance
Danco Burger	Centre	(1998-07-28) 28 July 1998	21	Wanderers
Johan Deysel	Centre	(1991-09-26) 26 September 1991	42	Wanderers
Divan Rossouw	Centre	(1996-03-12) 12 March 1996	12	Seattle Seawolves
J. C. Greyling	Wing	(1991-06-21) 21 June 1991	53	Wanderers
Jürgen Meyer	Wing		6	Wanderers
Jay-Cee Nel	Wing	(1999-01-07) 7 January 1999	6	Pumas
Danie van der Merwe	Wing	(1985-08-22) 22 August 1985	5	Wanderers
Aston Mukwiilongo	Fullback		2	Kudus

Individual all-time records

Most caps

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Won	Lost	Draw	Win %
1	Eugene Jantjies	Scrum-half	2006–2019	70	46	24	72	3	15	8	1	35	34	1	50.71
2	PJ van Lill	Flanker	2006–2023	63	39	24	40	8	0	0	0	31	31	1	50.00
3	Chrysander Botha	Fullback	2008–2018	55	53	2	209	28	15	13	0	34	20	1	62.72
4	Tinus du Plessis	Flanker	2006–2016	52	44	8	40	8	0	0	0	27	24	1	52.88
5	Darryl de la Harpe	Centre	2010–2019	50	39	11	50	10	0	0	0	25	25	0	50.00
6	Johnny Redelinghuys	Prop	2006–2015	49	31	18	25	5	0	0	0	22	26	1	45.91
7	JC Greyling	Centre	2014–2023	46	38	8	145	29	0	0	0	25	21	0	56.75
	Johann Tromp	Centre	2012–2021	46	37	9	105	21	0	0	0	26	20	0	55.55
9	Rohan Kitshoff	Flanker	2010–2019	45	31	14	110	22	0	0	0	24	21	0	53.33
10	Casper Viviers	Prop	2010-2023	42	31	11	5	1	0	0	0	23	19	0	52.50

Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023.

Most tries

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1	JC Greyling	Centre	2014–2023	46	38	8	145	29	0	0	0
2	Chrysander Botha	Fullback	2008–2018	55	53	2	209	28	15	13	0
3	Gerhard Mans	Wing	1990–1994	27	26	1	114	26	0	0	0
4	Rohan Kitshoff	Flanker	2010–2019	45	31	14	110	22	0	0	0
	Eden Meyer	Wing	1991–1996	21	20	1	102	22	0	0	0
6	Johann Tromp	Centre	2012–2021	46	37	9	105	21	0	0	0
7	Wian Conradie	Flanker	2015–present	30	25	5	90	14	0	0	0
8	Melrick Afrika	Wing	2003–2007	23	18	5	62	12	1	0	0
	Johan Deysel	Centre	2013–2023	38	36	2	60	12	0	0	0
	Louis van der Westhuizen	Hooker	2013–present	31	15	16	60	12	0	0	0

Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023.

Most points

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1	Theuns Kotzé	Fly-half	2011–2017	40	35	5	430	6	110	55	5
2	Jaco Coetzee	Fly-half	1990–1995	28	27	1	335	6	81	45	3
3	Cliven Loubser	Fly-half	2017–present	25	23	2	218	5	65	21	0
4	Chrysander Botha	Fullback	2008–2018	55	53	2	209	28	15	13	0
5	Mot Schreuder	Fly-half	2002–2007	19	17	2	158	4	42	18	0
6	JC Greyling	Centre	2014–2023	46	38	8	145	29	0	0	0
7	Rudie van Vuuren	Fly-half	1997–2003	15	10	5	120	3	27	17	0
8	Gerhard Mans	Wing	1990–1994	27	26	1	114	26	0	0	0
9	Rohan Kitshoff	Flanker	2010–2019	45	31	14	110	22	0	0	0
10	Eden Meyer	Wing	1991–1996	21	20	1	102	22	0	0	0

Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most points in a match

#	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1	Justinus van der Westhuizen	Fly-half	33	3	9	0	0	Zambia	Windhoek	26/05/2007
2	Jaco Coetzee	Fly-half	30	3	6	1	0	Kenya	Nairobi	07/07/1993
3	Chrysander Botha	Fullback	29	2	5	3	0	Ivory Coast	Windhoek	27/06/2009
4	Moolman Olivier	Fly-half	26	1	11	0	0	Portugal	Windhoek	21/04/1990
	Cliven Loubser	Fly-half	26	2	8	0	0	Morocco	Casablanca	30/06/2018
6	Riaan van Wyk	Wing	25	5	0	0	0	Madagascar	Windhoek	15/06/2002
	Theuns Kotzé	Fly-half	25	1	4	4	0	Russia	Windhoek	18/07/2015
8	Gerhard Mans	Wing	24	6	0	0	0	Portugal	Windhoek	21/04/1990
	Mot Schreuder	Fly-half	24	0	12	0	0	Kenya	Windhoek	27/05/2006
	Theuns Kotzé	Fly-half	24	0	12	0	0	Madagascar	Windhoek	06/07/2014

Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries in a match

#	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1	Gerhard Mans	Wing	24	6	0	0	0	Portugal	Windhoek	21/04/1990
2	Riaan van Wyk	Wing	25	5	0	0	0	Madagascar	Windhoek	15/06/2002
3	Eden Meyer	Wing	20	4	0	0	0	Zimbabwe	Windhoek	16/05/1992
	Melrick Afrika	Wing	20	4	0	0	0	Kenya	Nairobi	16/08/2003
	Renaldo Bothma	Number 8	20	4	0	0	0	Madagascar	Nairobi	06/07/2014
	Rohan Kitshoff	Flanker	20	4	0	0	0	Senegal	Windhoek	08/07/2017
	JC Greyling	Centre	20	4	0	0	0	Tunisia	Windhoek	23/06/2018
	Lesley Klim	Wing	20	4	0	0	0	Tunisia	Windhoek	23/06/2018
9	17 players on 3 tries

Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most matches as captain

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Draw	%	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1	Gerhard Mans	Wing	1990–1994	26	20	5	1	78.84	114	26	0	0	0
2	Johan Deysel	Centre	2018–2023	19	12	7	0	66.00	30	6	0	0	0
3	Jacques Burger	Flanker	2007–2015	17	7	10	0	41.17	25	5	0	0	0
4	PJ van Lill	Flanker	2012–2021	14	9	5	0	61.53	10	2	0	0	0
5	Corné Powell	Centre	2002–2007	13	9	4	0	69.23	25	5	0	0	0

Last updated: Namibia vs Uruguay, 27 September 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Past coaches

Since the 1999 Rugby World Cup

Years	Coach
1999	Rudy Joubert
2000	Sarel Losper
2000–2001	Henry Pretorius
2002–2003	David Waterston
2004–2005	Danie Vermeulen
2005	Christo Alexander
2006–2007	Johan Venter
2007	Hakkies Husselman
2008–2009	John Williams
2009–2011	Johan Diergaardt
2012–2015	Danie Vermeulen
2015–2019	Phil Davies
2020	Johan Diergaardt
2021–2024	Allister Coetzee
2024–2025	Chrysander Botha
2025	Jacques Burger (Interim)
2025	Pieter Rossouw

See also

• Namibia Rugby Union
• Rugby union in Namibia

External links

• Official website
• Namibian rugby union news from Planet Rugby Archived 2005-11-01 at the Wayback Machine
• Namibia World Cup 2007 Preview (in Portuguese) Archived 2007-05-15 at the Wayback Machine
• Namibia World Cup 2007 Preview & follow-up (in French)