Coetzee goes for experience: Namibia announce squad to play Italy

Head coach Allister Coetzee has named 12 players in his match-day squad from RWC 2019, with nine running out for their third tournament appearance since 2015.

They have two of their three try-scorers from 2019 returning in Damian Stevens and JC Greyling, with Greyling looking to become the first Namibian player to score three career Rugby World Cup tries.

There are eight survivors in the match-day team from the last time Namibia played Italy at RWC 2019, including two of their three try-scorers that day in Damian Stevens and JC Greyling.

Johan Deysel is Namibia’s third-most capped captain with 14 tests, trailing only Gerhard Mans (26) and Jacques Burger (17).

Richard Hardwick was a standout in defence for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby this season, forcing the most breakdown penalties of any player with 10. He made his test debut for the Wallabies in 2017, playing two tests for Australia.

Namibia side to face Italy:

1 Desiderius Sethie
2 Torsten Van Jaarsveld
3 Johan Coetzee
4 Adriaan Ludick
5 Tjiuee Uanivi
6 Wian Conradie
7 Johan Retief
8 Richard Hardwick
9 Damian Stevens
10 Tiaan Swanepoel
11 JC Greyling
12 Danco Burger
13 Johan Deysel (c)
14 Gerswin Mouton
15 Divan Rossouw

Replacements:
16 Louis van der Westhuizen
17 Jason Benade
18 Casper Viviers
19 Tiaan De Klerk
20 Prince Gaoseb
21 Jacques Theron
22 Andre van der Bergh
23 Le Roux Malan