RAMS and Oranjemund ready for quarter-final charge

Rugby
RAMS and Oranjemund are eyeing semi-final spots.
Otis Daniels
  • 7 Hours Ago

The final round of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) ǁKharas First Division South league fixtures concluded on 8 August, with Keetmanshoop RAMS and Oranjemund Rugby Club qualifying for the quarter-finals set for 8 September.

"This year, the top four teams on the combined NRU First Division log will host their respective opponents in the quarter-finals," confirmed the NRU league administrator William Steenkamp.

Depending on the outcome of the final NRU Central/North First Division league fixtures today, Keetmanshoop RAMS could face Reho Falcon 3 or Eastern Bulls, while Oranjemund could meet Oceans or Vipers. NUST will face Eastern Bulls, Vikings will take on Oceans, and Okahandja Highlanders will play Vipers in the final fixtures of the NRU Central/North First Division. The outcome of the match between NUST, placed 12th on the combined log, and Eastern Bulls, in 10th position, could affect the final log standings. Eastern Bulls will need a convincing victory and a bonus point to overtake Reho Falcon 3 and secure a place in the last eight. 


Nursing injuries

Keetmanshoop RAMS coach Brandon Walters said his team was dealing with injuries and player availability ahead of the quarter-finals.

"We are struggling with a couple of injuries. Some of our players are also unavailable for training because of work commitments, and this is problematic. I hope things will improve," he said.

According to Walters, the team will have to prepare for a different and difficult challenge regardless of the opponent.

"We will have to work hard no matter who our opponent is. We have no information about their style of play, and they will bring a different challenge."

He said that home advantage could play an important role as the team targets a place in the semi-finals.

"The aim was to reach the quarter-finals, and now that we have achieved it, we can focus on getting to the semi-finals and making it to the final," Walters said.

He thanked the team's sponsors and supporters for their contribution during the season.

"They have carried us and made our achievements this season possible. We are grateful and will do our best to make them proud."


Getting ready

Oranjemund coach Hugern Andrews, who took charge of the club last year, said the team was looking forward to their quarter-final encounter despite several absences from training. 

“Two of our locks, Jaden Beukes, picked up a hamstring injury, and Jean Pierre De Jager suffered a knee injury. We will be inactive for four weeks since playing Ocean Swallows in Lüderitz, and this will definitely affect our match fitness and game temperament in the quarterfinal," Andrews said.

He called on his players to learn from the defeats the team suffered in last year's final and their recent loss to Keetmanshoop RAMS. "That is water under the bridge. We need to move forward with renewed purpose and determination, and make our sponsors and supporters proud. Our fans will also have to play their part and make the home advantage we earned count in our favour," he said.

Andrews said their potential opponents would present a difficult challenge.

"Vipers have huge forwards and play a running game, while Oceans is packed with potential. We will have to be wide awake, bring our A game and stick to our structures," he said.


Standing tall

Keetmanshoop RAMS occupies the top spot on the combined NRU First Division log with 61 points, followed by Sparta United on 59. Oranjemund is placed third with 58 points, followed by Vikings on 50 (4th), Vipers on 47 (5th), Oceans on 40 (6th), Okahandja Highlanders on 34 (7th) and Reho Falcon 3 on 23 points (8th).

Keetmanshoop RAMS also finished top of the NRU ǁKharas First Division South log with 26 points from five wins and one defeat. The team scored 31 tries, conceded 15 and collected six bonus points. Oranjemund finished second with 25 points, also from five wins and one defeat. The team scored 28 tries, conceded 19 and collected five bonus points.

Mariental and Ocean Swallows, the other two teams in the ǁKharas First Division South, were eliminated. NUST were also eliminated from the NRU Central/North First Division.

– otis@nsh.com.na