Namibian player joins Barbarians for Dubai 7's

Rugby at an international level
Van der Merwe Tromp, a Namibian rugby player, has been selected to play in the Emirates Dubai 7's tournament at the end of the year. In an interview with My Zone, Tromp talks about this feat.
Phillipus Josef and Zoë Karsten
  • 3 Hours Ago
Namibian rugby player, 19-year-old Van der Merwe Tromp, has been selected to represent the North West Barbarians sevens team at the Emirates Dubai 7's tournament this December.

The Emirates Dubai 7's is renowned as one of the premier sevens rugby tournaments globally and this year it also marks the start of the HSBC SVNS World Series’ 2024-25 season.

The young fly-half, a first-year law student at North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus, joins an elite group of Namibian athletes who have donned the Barbarians jersey, including Danie van der Merwe and Danco Burger.



The journey

Tromp’s passage to the international stage began at Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool where he consistently excelled on the field.

Last year, he represented Namibia at the Academy Week in South Africa and earlier this year was scouted by NWU after an impressive showing in the first-year tournament where first-year students from NWU played against each other in a large tournament.

His performances further earned him a spot in Namibia’s under-20 squad for the Rugby Africa Barthes Cup in Zimbabwe and a call-up to the Leopards SA Rugby Under-19 Cup squad.



Intensity

In one of the questions sent to Tromp by My Zone, he reflected on his training with the Barbarians and described it as “intense”. He noted that sevens rugby demands higher endurance and fitness than the 15's format, a game more structured and physical.

“Sevens is more of an open playbook where you have to identify opportunities and play into the space, avoiding contact,” he explained.

Tromp acknowledged the jump in intensity from Namibian school-level rugby to the high demands of international play.

“There’s no room for laziness,” he said.



Injury

Tromp’s career was brought to a halt when he suffered a knee injury during the Leopards’ SA Rugby Under-19 Cup season, but he credited his coaching staff for supporting his recovery and helping him prepare for Dubai.

Beyond the field, Tromp balances rugby with law studies, admitting that managing both is challenging but achievable through strict time management.

“Both require significant commitment, so effective prioritisation is essential,” he shared.

Tromp stated that he’s fully aware of the legacy he’s stepping into.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to represent such a prestigious club. I have big boots to fill,” he said, referencing previous Namibian Barbarians like Van der Merwe and Burger.