Battle for knock-out stages intensifies

The battle for semifinal places in the Namibian Rugby Premier League intensifies this weekend with some crucial matches in store tomorrow. 

FNB Wanderers, who lead the log on 28 points, and second-placed FNB Kudus on 24, seem assured of reaching the semifinals but the other two spots are still up for grabs, with Trustco United (17), FNB Grootfontein (16), FNB Unam (12), FNB Western Suburbs (11) and FNB Rehoboth (11) all still in the hunt. 

Wanderers have been in imperious form this season, winning all their matches to date, and will start as firm favourites when they host United in their annual derby at the Wanderers ground. 

Wanderers captain Jacques Theron acknowledged that they are the favourites but said they will not rest on their laurels.

“We’ve had a great start to the season, we are four points ahead of Kudus at the top of the log, so it’s a lead, but it’s not where we want to be yet. We are the favourites, but a derby is a derby and anything can happen, so we’re trying to prepare as if it’s our first game of the season and were going to give it our all,” he said. 

He certainly has a point as derbies traditionally bring out the best in both teams. 

Last season United didn’t even reach the semifinal play-offs, but after losing 31-15 to Wanderers in their first round encouner, they nearly beat their old foes in their return leg encounter at Wanderers, before going down 18-15. 

Despite Wanderers’ success in recent years, United still hold the upper hand over their archrivals in their traditional derby which dates back 69 years.

Since their first derby in 1956, United have won 34 matches and Wanderers 31, while four have been drawn.

On paper, Wanderers have a powerful squad with depth and quality, while competition for places in the starting line-up will be intense. 

Amongst the backs Theron and Denzo Bruwer form a potent halfback pair, while they have speed aplenty out wide in players like Jurgens Meyer, Johnny Mwenyo, Owen Hawanga and Danie van der Merwe. 

Up front they have experienced national players like Ruan Ludick and Adriaan Booysen, while upcoming players like Sheron Rossouw, Joe Losper and Kian Beyer have also impressed this season. 

United on the other hand are in a rebuilding phase with a young team and few stars, but players like captain JD Nel, Ricardo Swartz and Christo Gresse amongst the backs, and Thehard Lintvelt, Feddy Mazila and Zander Bronkhorst amongst the forwards have caught the eye. United, however, will still be without their inspirational flyhalf Hanreco van Zyl, who tore his hamstring against Western Suburbs a month ago.

Another exciting showdown can be expected at the Unam field where Unam host Rehoboth. There’s not much to choose between the two sides, with only a point separating them on the log, while both are hitting form and coming off victories last weekend. 

Unam have had an indifferent start to the league but last weekend finished strongly to beat Falcons 31-18, while Rehoboth beat United 38-28 on their home field. Tomorrow’s encounter will be crucial to both teams’ title aspirations and a humdinger can be expected.

Grootfontein will be determined to get their campaign back on track after a 33-27 defeat to Kudus last weekend, and will be aiming for maximum bonus points when they take on bottom of the log FNB Dolphins at Swakopmund. 

Dolphins are still in search of their first win this season, but are slowly making progress in only their second season in the Premier League. 

Kudus will start as favourites against FNB Reho Falcon, who are out of the running for the semis, but they should not be underestimated.

Last week they pushed Unam all the way before fading in the last 10 minutes, and in front of their Rehoboth supporters they could be a tough nut to crack.

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