Rugby Cranes humbled by Namibia
Jun 19, 2018
In the second half the Namibians scored five more tries and the Rugby Cranes only scored one penalty to end the game 55-06.
PIC: Uganda's players take on Namibia during the 2018 qualifiers at Kyandondo rugby grounds, uganda. (Courtesy photo)
RUGBY
2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers
Results
Uganda 06 Namibia 55
WINDHOEK - The Rugby Cranes begun their 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifier campaign on a losing end over the weekend going down 55-06 to the Namibia senior rugby team.
It only took seven minutes for the Namibian team to put points on the scoreboard at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek.
Janco Venter scored their opening try and Cliven Loubser made no mistake from the spot in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup game that is serving as a world cup qualifier.
In the 12th minute, Johann Greyling who was too strong and fast got the second try for the hosts whereas Venter converted from the spot.
The Rugby Cranes had a chance of bringing themselves back into the game when the referee awarded them a penalty in the 16th minute but a poorly taken penalty by scrum half Aaron Ofoyrwoth kept the score line the same.
In the 18th minute, Namibia got their third try through Orbet Nortje with Loubser scoring the conversion to make the score 21-0.
Namibia's team captain, Johan Deysel scored one more try for his team in the 27th minute but Loubser missed from the spot.
The Rugby Cranes were once more given a penalty in the 34th minutes and James Ijongat made no mistake to add Uganda's first points on the scoreboard, to end the first half 26-3 in favour of the home team.
In the second half the Namibians scored five more tries and the Rugby Cranes only scored one penalty to end the game 55-06.
Louis van der Westhuizen scored two tries for Namibia, Wian Conradie scored one, Greyling scored his second try of the match, while full back Chrysander Botha another in the 66th minute.
Ijongat scored his second penalty for the Rubgy Cranes while Ofoyrwoth missed a penalty once more in the second half.
After a two-week break to re-organise the Rugby Cranes will travel to Nairobi Kenya for their second away tie slated for Saturday, July 7.
The Rugby Cranes will play three home games against Tunisia, Morocco and Zimbabwe on August 4, 11 and 18 respectively.
The winner of the Africa Gold Cup will qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.