Head coach Alister Coetzee has named his squad to face New Zealand in Stadium de Toulouse on Friday, bringing in prop Jason Benade, flanker Prince Gaoseb and centre Le Roux Malan to his starting XV.
1 Jason Benade
2 Torsten van Jaarsveld
3 Johan Coetzee
4 Johan Retief
5 Tjiuee Uanivi
6 Wian Conradie
7 Prince Gaoseb
8 Richard Hardwick
9 Damian Stevens
10 Tiaan Swanepoel
11 Divan Rossouw
12 Le Roux Malan
13 Johan Deysel (c)
14 Gerswin Mouton
15 Cliven Loubser
16 Louis van der Westhuizen
17 Desiderius Sethie
18 Haitembu Shifuka
19 PJ Van Lill
20 Adriaan Booysen
21 Max Katjijeko
22 Jacques Theron
23 JC Greyling
- Head coach Allister Coetzee has made only three changes to in his starting XV from their last game against Italy, handing Jason Benade and Prince Gaoseb a start in the forward pack, and Le Roux Malan in the backline.
- There are eight survivors in the match-day team from the last time Namibia played New Zealand at Rugby World Cup 2019, with Johan Coetzee, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Tjiuee Uanivi, Johan Retief, Prince Gaoseb, Damian Stevens, JC Greyling and captain Johan Deysel all named.
- Tiaan Swanepoel generated much of their attack against Italy with a team-high two linebreak assists and one try assist. He made a team-high 17 carries for 103m, including 70m gained and the joint-most carries from the base of the ruck (8).
- Richard Hardwick was busy on attack against Italy, beating the most defenders (8) from the second-most carries (16) for Namibia.
- Torsten van Jaarsveld is currently playing for Bayonne in the Top 14, one three players in this match-day team who play their club rugby in France alongside PJ Van Lill for Capbreton Hossegor Rugby, and Tjiuee Uanivi for US Montauban.
- Le Roux Malan earns his first start of the season after playing 22 minutes off the bench against Italy. He made his test debut last year against Spain in Madrid, partnering captain Johan Deysel in the centres in both matches played.
