NAMIBIA

Their nickname does not trip off the tongue – Welwitschias – named after a unique plant which is found in the Namib desert, but the Namibian team are fighters and just keep battling on the pitch, even when the odds are not with them.  They have been in every RWC since the initial tournament but have yet to get beyond the pool stages – winning the Africa Cup yet again in 2022 hopefully will have given them some confidence for their 7th RWC.

However, sadly there are in Pool A – so matches against the All Blacks, France as well as Italy and Uruguay.  Not the easier of draws and they will really have to step up a gear in this pool. But they do have their talisman player in shape of Captain Johan Deysel. 

Captain: Johan Deysel  

Player to Watch: Confess that have not seen many Namibia matches, but would choose Torsten Van Jaarsveld, who currently is playing in France at Club level for Bayonne.

For more details on Namibia Rugby:  http://www.namibianrugby.com

For full details follow: http://www.rugbyworldcup.com

What to Eat & Drink whilst watching the Welwitschias

Food:

There is some great beef in Namibia as the cattle live mainly off Savannah grass so is very natural. Other types of meat are increasingly popular such as venison and ostrich, so meat BBQs known as Braaivleis are the order of the day. Odd Fact: Britain imports more Namibian BBQ charcoal than any other country but please do check that it is FSC certified to protect the workers who produce it.

If you want to be authentic, try cooking potjiekos, a spicy stew of meat, chicken or fish, which is traditionally cooked in three-legged pot over an open fire. 

Although it might be difficult to find in the UK, Namibian olive plantations (including the Kalamata olives)  are increasing – so keep an eye out for them in the future. 

Germanic influence is also strong in Namibian cooking today – and nowhere more so than cakes where Black Forest gateaux and Apple Strudel turn up with delicious regularity. 

Namibians share a love of neighboring South African snacks such as biltong and droewors (a spicy dried sausage) as well as Landjäger, a smoked pork and beef sausage.  Visit these great guys online (we are lucky they are local and so pop up at our local market!)   who have great snack packs perfect for match day: www.simplyafricanfood.uk


Beer: Namibia has its Germanic history to thank for a thriving and award-winning beer industry. As far back as 1516, the Duke of Bavaria passed a purity law, which is still respected today in Namibia, so that beers are made using only malted barley, hops and water with no chemical additions. 

Windhoek is the most well -known brand and is available www.thebeertown.co.uk

Wine: Unlike more its more famous neighbour, South Africa, Namibia is not famed for wine making but there is one producer whose name keeps popping up – the family owned, second generation, Thonningii Wine Cellar. They own 5.5 hectares of vines in the Otavi Mountain Valley and planted to an interesting diversity of grape varieties – Syrah, Tinta Barocca, Barbera, Viognier, Colombard and Verdelho. Anyone out there who knows where to source a couple of bottles, do let me know!