By Staff Reporter
Valparaiso, Chile, Aug. 14 – In a thrilling Rugby World Cup warm-up match, Namibia showcased their resilience, rallying from behind to secure a narrow 28-26 victory against Chile in Valparaiso.
The Namibian team faced an initial setback, conceding three tries in the first half, which led to a 12-point deficit at halftime (19-7). However, the second half witnessed a remarkable turnaround as Namibia fought back, scoring three tries of their own to clinch a hard-fought win.
This victory serves as a significant confidence booster for Namibia as they prepare for the upcoming Rugby World Cup scheduled to be held in France from September 8 to October 28. Namibia finds itself in Pool A, competing alongside formidable opponents such as New Zealand, hosts France, Italy, and Uruguay.
Chile, making its debut appearance at the Rugby World Cup, is placed in Pool D, where they will face challenges from Argentina, Japan, Samoa, and England.
Throughout the match, both teams exhibited skill and determination, creating numerous opportunities. Ultimately, it was Namibia’s exceptional performance in the second half that secured their triumph.
Namibia’s captain, Johan Tromp, emerged as a key figure, contributing with a try, while their fly-half, Tiaan Swanepoel, displayed remarkable accuracy, adding two conversions and a penalty to the scoreboard.
While Chile faced disappointment in the loss, they can draw inspiration from their performance. They demonstrated the ability to compete against top-tier teams, fueling their aspirations to create upsets at the Rugby World Cup.
Namibia’s impressive victory underscores their progress as a rising team, poised to make waves in France. This result undoubtedly instils confidence within the Namibian squad as they look forward to their Rugby World Cup campaign.
