Welwitschias overpower Zambia 

A new-look Namibian Welwitschias gave an impressive display as they overpowered Zambia for a runaway 71-12 victory on Sunday.

In Namibia’s first match of the year, a few stalwarts turned out but an array of new exciting talent was fielded and they grabbed the chance with some sparkling attacking rugby, scoring 11 tries.

Fullback Jaylon Carew led the way with a hat-trick of tries, while eighthman Adriaan Booysen scored two and Ruan Ludick, Kistings Minyoi, Obert Nortje, Max Katjijeko, Aston Mukwiilongo and JP Campbell one each. Wiks Tromp added five conversions and Carew three.

Zambia scored two tries through eighthman Rodgers Mukapa and prop Lawrence Lesa, while fullback Perry Mwape added one conversion.

Namibia came out attacking and took an early lead when Booysen crashed over from a maul and after a great run by captain Prince !Gaoseb, Ludick went over from a line-out maul, and with Tromp converting both, Namibia went 14-0 ahead.

Zambia regained the initiative as they camped on Namibia’s tryline and finally opened their account when Mukupa went over from a forward maul.

Zambia continued to attack but Namibia defended superbly and took a decisive lead when they scored three tries in quick succession towards the end of the first half.

Lock Minyoi and hooker Nortje barged over from mauls, while Katjijeko rounded off a flowing attack and with Tromp converting two, Namibia took a commanding 33-5 lead at the half-time break.

The hard working Booysen extended Namibia’s lead with a great try, running 70m to touch down, while Mukwiilongo went over in the corner to put them 45-5 ahead early in the second half.

Zambia fought back but Namibia kept them at bay with some ferocious tackles and the momentum gradually swung back to the home team.

Carew displayed great speed with three long range counter-attacking tries, while Campbell added another before a late consolation try by Lesa made the final score 71-12.

It was a sparkling display of forward power and speedy backline attacks, with the experienced internationals Booysen, !Gaoseb, Katjijeko and Ludick excelling up front, while some of the newcomers announced themselves with exciting performances.

Carew led the way with his speedy counter-attacks, while Tromp, Mukwiilongo, Minyoi, Campbell, Niel Holtzhausen and Dhale Cloete all caught the eye.

Namibia assistant coach Darryl de la Harpe was pleased with their performance.

“It was a good performance – I think the guys who started did their part and laid the foundation, and then the youngsters who came off the bench gave a good showing. We said we are going to start anew so I’m very happy with how the youngsters performed. Im also so proud of the people coming out today and still backing Namibian rugby,” he says.

Namibia will next take on the Blue Bulls in two weeks time and De La Harpe says it will be a much tougher assignment.

“That will be a totally different challenge but we are looking forward to it. We now have a big squad of 40 to 45 players so its exciting times. It will be a much bigger challenge defensively against the Bulls but we want to see the guys playing for their jersey and I think we saw that today,” he says.

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