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WINDHOEK. — Namibia, beaten in all 22 matches they played at six previous Rugby World Cups, named 39-year-old lock PJ van Lill among 31 players yesterday for the 2023 tournament in France.
The 20 qualifiers for the global show-piece are permitted squads of 33 and the other two places are likely to be filled by Friday, when eligibility and injury issues are finalised.
Namibia are in pool A with hosts France and three-time champions New Zealand, two of the title favourites, as well as Italy and Uruguay.
France and New Zealand, who clash in the tournament opener on 8 September in Paris, are expected to be the two qualifiers for the quarter-finals from the section.
If Namibia are to win at a World Cup for the first time since their 1999 debut, their best chances will probably come in the final pool match against Uruguay in Lyon on September 27. The Africans lost 26-18 to Uruguay in Montevideo this month during a South American tour, which included a 34-27 defeat by an Argentina XV and a dramatic 28-26 victory over Chile. Namibia’s South African coach Allister Coetzee has chosen 16 of the Namibia squad that competed at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, including Van Lill. Centre Johan Deysel, another survivor from Japan, captains the team and hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld is the vice-captain. NAMIBIA SQUAD
Forwards:
Props: Jason Benade, Desiderius Sethie (both University of Namibia), Aranos Coetzee (Cheetahs/RSA), Casper Viviers (Baulois/FRA)
Hookers: Torsten van Jaarsveld (Bayonne/FRA), Louis van der Westhuizen (Chee-tahs/RSA)
Locks: Tiaan de Klerk (Mogliano/ITA), PJ van Lill (Capbreton Hossegor/FRA), Adriaan Ludick (Limoges/FRA), Mahepisa Tjeriko (University of Namibia), Tjiuee Uanivi (Mon-tauban/FRA)
Back row: Prince Gaoseb, Muharua Katjijeko (both Tel Aviv Heat/ISR), Adriaan Booysen (Dallas Jackals/USA), Wian Conradie (New England Free Jacks/USA), Rich-ard Hardwick (Melbourne Rebels/AUS), Johan Retief (Griquas/RSA)
Backs:
Scrum-halves: Damian Stevens (New Orleans Gold/USA), Jacques Theron (Wander-ers)
Fly-halves: Andre van der Berg (Wanderers), Cliven Loubser (Utah Warriors/USA)
Wings: Chad Plato (Kudus), Divan Rossouw (Lions/RSA)
Centres: Danco Burger, JC Greyling (both Wanderers), Johan Deysel (Colomiers/FRA, capt), Le Roux Malan (New England Free Jacks/USA), Gerswin Mouton (Wits Universi-ty/RSA)
Full-back: Tiaan Swanepoel (Lions/RSA)
Utility backs: Oela Blaauw (University of Johannesburg/RSA), Alcino Isaacs (Boland Cavaliers/RSA)
Note: Thirty-one players named, two to be added
Coach: Allister Coetzee (RSA) — AFP
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