NDN Staffer
WINDHOEK, April 24 — Namibia’s rugby team, the Welwitschias, are gearing up for the Rugby World Cup 2023, and former Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has called in some South African expertise to help them prepare. One of the assistant coaches at the Vodacom Bulls, Pine Pienaar, has been enlisted to help with Namibia’s defensive systems. Pienaar’s contract with the Bulls will not be renewed after the current season, and he is relishing the opportunity to work with Coetzee and the Welwitschias in the run-up to the World Cup.
Coetzee’s Namibia is in Pool A, where they will face off against tournament hosts France, two-time winners New Zealand, Italy and Uruguay. This is a challenging group, and the Welwitschias will need to be at their very best to advance to the knockout stages of the competition.
Pienaar’s experience with the Vodacom Bulls will be invaluable as Namibia looks to tighten up its defence ahead of the tournament. The Bulls are one of South Africa’s most successful rugby teams, having won the Super Rugby competition three times. Pienaar has been with the team since 2018 and has been instrumental in developing their defensive systems.
Speaking to the South African newspaper Rapport, Pienaar said he was thrilled to be joining the Namibia coaching staff. “To be able to go to the World Cup is a dream for any player or coach,” he said. “I am incredibly looking forward to it.”
Coetzee, who coached the Springboks between 2016 and 2018, will be hoping that Pienaar’s expertise can help Namibia pull off some upsets in Pool A. The Welwitschias have never made it past the pool stage of the World Cup, but with the help of Pienaar and Coetzee, they will be hoping to cause a few surprises in France in 2023.
The Rugby World Cup is the biggest stage in rugby union, and Namibia will be hoping to make their mark on the tournament this year. With the help of Pienaar and Coetzee, the Welwitschias will be looking to upset the odds and make history at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. – Namibia Daily News
