The two most notable names in the team are in the pack in the form of the Toyota Cheetahs duo, hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld, and tighthead prop, Aranos Coetzee.

Van Jaarsveld is will be heading to the Bayonne in France to further his career after being a stalwart of Cheetahs rugby for numerous years. Coetzee has committed to the Cheetahs rugby, and was named as the teams Super Rugby Player of the Season during their final season competition.

The former Cardiff Blues coach, Phil Davis, who now coaches Namibia, named a further four Leopards players in his squad, and this excludes the North West University Pukke backline player, Wihan von Wielligh.

The other Potchefstroom-based players in the squad are Nelius Theron, Louis van der Westhuizen, Johan Retief and Justin Newman.

Recently Namibia were in Potchefstroom where they trained with and against the Pukke.

Furthermore, Damian Stevens, of the Tafel Lager Griquas, will be accompanying the side during Rugby Africa Gold Cup.

Other South African-based players in the squads are Adriaan Ludick of Paarl Gymnasium, Wihan Conradie of the University of Johannesburg, Janco Venter of the University of Stellenbosch, Cliven Loubser and Johan Deysel of the Sharks, and Divan Rossouw of the Bulls.

Casper Viviers (Bobigby) and PJ van Lill (Bayonne) both ply their trade in France, while Renaldo Botha (Harlequins) and Lesley Kim (Doncaster Knights) both play in England.

Worcester Warriors lock Anton Bresler remains eligible but has yet to commit to the team for the World Cup

The Gold Cup begins on June 16 and runs until August 18. The winner will be in Pool B for the Rugby World Cup in Japan along with the Springboks, New Zealand, Italy and the Repechage Winner

Fixtures:

16 June –  Namibia vs. Uganda – Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek

23 June – Namibia vs.  Tunisia – Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek

30 June  – Namibia vs. Morocco – COC Rugby Club, Casablanca

4 August – Namibia vs. Zimbabwe – Police Grounds, Harare

18 August – Namibia vs. Kenya – Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek

Forwards - Aranos Coetzee (Cheetahs), AJ de Klerk (Welwitschias), Desiderius Sethie (Welwitschias), Nelius Theron (Leopards), Casper Viviers (Bobigny, FR), Obert Nortjé (Welwitschias), Louis van der Westhuizen (Leopards), Torsten van Jaarsveld (Cheetahs), Adriaan Ludick (Paarl Gym), Ruan Ludick (Welwitschias), Johan Retief (Leopards), Mahepisa Tjeriko (Welwitschias), Tjiuee Uanivi (London Scottish, UK), Renaldo Bothma (Harlequins, UK), Wian Conradie (U of Johannesburg), Max Katjijeko (Welwitschias), Rohan Kitshoff (Welwitschias), PJ van Lill (Bayonne, FR), Janco Venter (Maties).

Backs - Eugene Jantjies (Welwitschias), TC Kisting (Welwitschias), Damian Stevens (Griquas), Wihan von Wielligh (NWU Pukke), Cliven Loubser (Sharks), PW Steenkamp (Welwitschias), Darryl de la Harpe (Welwitschias), Johan Deysel (Sharks), JC Greyling (Welwitschias), Justin Newman (Leopards), Janry du Toit (Welwitschias), Lesley Klim (Doncaster Knights, UK), Divan Rossouw (Bulls), Gino Wilson (Welwitschias), Chrysander Botha (Welwitschias).

Morgan Piek OFM Sport