Challengers for semi-final spot meet eye tot eye

The battle to secure the last contested semi-final spot in the Namibia Rugby Union’s Premier League heats up considerably with two of the three contenders – FNB Grootfontein and FNB Reho Falcon – as direct opponents in Rehoboth on Saturday.

FNB Unam (66 points), FNB Wanderers (63) and FNB Kudus (53) established a huge 24-point gap above the rest of the field. All three have already secured their top-four finishes, with Unam and Wanderers likely to book home semi-finals on 31 August.

Fans can catch the live broadcast of Reho Falcon vs Grootfontein on NTV (DStv channel 285, GOtv 25) and https://oneuptwo.com/ntv, starting at 15:15 before the kick-off time at 15:45.

Grootfontein is placed fourth on the log with 39 points after 14 games. Reho Falcon follows in fifth position with 33 after 13 matches.

In their last matches, Grootfontein scored a confidence-boosting 61-7 win over Western Suburbs in their last match, while Reho Falcon lost 31-30 to neighbours FNB Rehoboth when centre Miquel Busch’s final penalty sailed through.

“We are coming for them. It will be a hard game and a must win for us, with Wanderers waiting for us after this one,” said Grootfontein coach Ogies Louw.

Reho Falcon chairman Brian Bayer: “We are ready for them and know that they will make us work hard for the win. The loss against Rehoboth was a bitter pill to swallow and has set us back. The big win against Suburbs will be a huge confidence-booster for them and we will go into this one as the underdogs.”

The last three head-to-head clashes were tightly contested affairs and only decided by narrow margins. Most recently, on 25 May this year, Grootfontein defeated the travelling Reho Falcon 19-17. In the 2023 season’s fixture at Grootfontein, the home team edged the result 45-44, after Reho Falcon had scored a 35-29 home win.

According to Louw statics will count for nothing.

“We had a difficult road up to this point, but we are happy with our current position. The players know that when they play to their abilities we can beat any team. A good win will ensure that we move closer to the semi-finals. We will rely on our existing patterns and structures for this one.”

Louw pointed out that the availability of players is having a detrimental effect on the overall performance. “Most of our players are only available for one full practice session on Thursdays. We do not have any serious injuries, but work commitments also hampers our consistency.”

Grootfontein captain Wikus Jacobs told Sport Wrap that at least five stalwarts will be unavailable for the trip to Rehoboth, namely props Renard Hattingh and Nelius Theron, loose forwards Pieter Daan Kok and Amutenya Amutenya, as well as centre Niel Holtzhausen.

Bayer said Reho Falcon is well-prepared. “We have a full-strength team available. Both Grootfontein and United are still in the race with us for a semi-final spot. The players know that we cannot afford to lose another match and that our fate is in our own hands.

“Cliven Loubser, our fly-half, is back (injured after his Major League Rugby season in USA) and will replace the injured Casey Beukes.”



Fixtures elsewhere

Trustco United (sixth, 32 points) will need to earn maximum points when they host Simonis Storm Dolphin (ninth), who will play their final match of the season.

FNB Wanderers (second) will play their last home match against FNB Rehoboth (fifth).

In Khomasdal, Western Suburbs (eighth) will challenge the log leaders Unam.