Namibia draws first blood
Windhoek, 28 October: Namibia are favourites to clinch Africa’s spot at the Rugby World Cup in France next year after beating Morocco 25-7 in Windhoek in the first encounter of the two match play-off. The two sides meet again in a fortnight in Casablanca but Morocco will have to win this match by a margin of 19 points to prevent Namibia from qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for a third successive time.
Namibia, boosted by the return of Sharks player Kees Lensing and lock Heino Senekal who plays for Cornish Pirates, took an early lead through a penalty from number 10 Emile Wessels. Namibia were made to work hard for their points and had to wait until just before the stroke of half time before they could score again but it was worth it. Fullback Heine Bock scored a great try after the Namibians spread the ball wide; his pace was just too much for the Moroccan cover defence. Wessels converted for Namibia to go into the break with a ten-nil lead.
Morocco had a number of early second half chances to close the gap but the usually reliable Thomas Garcia missed with two easy shots at goal. Shortly after Garcia’s second unsuccessful attempt, Wessels was on target again to open a 13-point gap. But Morocco who was more than a match for Namibia in the battle of the forwards came back strongly. After persistent pressure on the Namibia goal line Irish referee Simon McDowell’s patience finally ran out and he awarded a penalty try to the visitors. The score 13-7
Namibia clinched the match in the last ten minutes with two superb tries. The first from their energetic number 8 Jacques Burger who captained Namibia to victory over Tunisia two weeks ago. The second in the final minute from replacement Roger Thompson. Wessels failed with the conversion, the two points and missed penalties by Garcia could prove to be crucial when the sides meet again in two weeks time in Casablanca.