Final whistle confirms top-four without champions United

The configuration for the semi-final fixtures of the Namibia Rugby Union’s premier league and reserve league were confirmed on Saturday, with the last formality of Trustco United’s first team’s elimination as the defending champions, closing out their season in fifth position.

Spectators at the last matchday of the regular season were treated to a true spectacle at the Dr Lemmer High School field, as FNB Reho Falcon (already eliminated) stood up with pride to narrowly win 49-47 against United – a result that ended the slim outside chance the Philistines still had of edging into a top-four finish.

Instead, FNB Grootfontein was given reason to celebrate as the northern team’s fourth position was affirmed, securing their first-ever appearance in the premier league semi-final.

Since stepping up impressively from the NRU first division to the top-flight in their 2021 debut (fifth; missing the semi-finals by one log point), Grootfontein has risen to the occasion after finishing sixth in 2022 and seventh last year.



Premier league semi-final fixtures for 31 August

@ WHS FNB Vegkop Stadium

FNB Unam (1) v (4) FNB Grootfontein

FNB Wanderers (2) v (3) FNB Kudus



Reserve league semi-finals

Kudus II (1) v (4) Rehoboth II

Wanderers II (2) v (3) Unam II



Women's league semi-finals

Unam Steenbokkies (1) v (4) Rehoboth Bokkies

United Gemsbokkies (2) v (3) Wanderers Bokkies



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A fast-paced match-of-the-season contender with exciting running rugby and a tense finish saw Reho Falcon achieve their seventh win from 16 matches for the season.

Finishing fifth out of nine teams this season showed remarkable improvement and earned them renewed respect, compared to last season (eighth from eight, one win from 14 matches) and 2022 (eighth from eight, no wins from 14 matches).

Thirteen tries were scored – six by the home team and seven by United. The Falcons led 37-27 at halftime, but had to overcome a determined fightback from their opponents before the winning points came via a last-minute penalty.

The kicking boot of full-back Ashton van Wyk contributed five conversions and three penalties for Reho Falcon, with their tries scored by wing Enrique Husselmann, fly-half Casey Beukes, scrumhalf Brian Bayer, locks Jerome Schuman and Tony Isaacs and hooker Zadian Campbell. Two of the home team’s replacements, Dillon Kahmann and Diego Loubser, were yellow-carded by referee Zaid Isaacs.

United’s captain JD Nel, selected to play at lock away from his normal inside centre position, responded by scoring three tries in the match, despite spending time in the sin-bin.

Two tries by Xavier Mouton, who had moved into Nel’s former 12 jersey, and one each by scrumhalf Elzandro van Wyk and nr 8 Rudi Pieters helped secured seven tries for United, with fly-half Hanreco van Zyl landing six conversions despite a windy day.

United’s rare feat of earning three bonus points (for scoring seven tries, while losing by less than eight points) was not enough, as coach Robbie Dickson admitted that they had left their challenge too late in the season and were left to regret missed opportunities.



Kudus maintain momentum

FNB Kudus, under head coach Shaun White, beat FNB Rehoboth 29-19 and ensured that the Walvis Bay club approach this coming weekend’s semi-finals with full confidence.

Kudus, unchallenged in their third spot, earned a bonus point with tries by wings Aston Mukwiilongo (2) and Paolo Andrews, as well as flank Ja-Tamson van den Berg. Aurelio Plato came off the bench to kick one penalty alongside three conversions by fly-half Kyle Wentzel.

For Rehoboth, centre Miquel Busch continued his recent form with a try and two conversions, with one try each by flank Chase Diergaardt and replacement wing Manfred Garoeb.



NRU Reserve League

Results: Kudus II beat Rehoboth II 34-17 to finish top of the log; Reho Falcon II beat United II 37-22.