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Video: Namibia's destructive backrow that the All Blacks and Boks will have to watch

11 Jun 2019

Namibian number 8 Janco Venter. (Photo by APO Group via Getty Images)

Namibia made history on Sunday by beating Uruguay for the first time 30-28 in Montevideo in the World Rugby Nations Cup.

It is the first win that the African side have had over a World Cup team since 2010, and was won in style with a last minute penalty from fly-half Cliven Loubser.

While the fly-half sealed the win, it was number eight Janco Venter who had the greatest impact, scoring two tries, including a blistering run down the wing.

Here are the highlights of his performance:

The standout performer for Namibia in their first win over a RWC level side since 2010 was their athletic number 8 Janco Venter. He was only on for 60 minutes before getting injured, but made several good carries, impactful tackles, and it was his two tries set up the victory. pic.twitter.com/Knkp7aWr6I
— Tier 2 Rugby (@T2Rugby) June 10, 2019

Namibia are in Pool B this coming World Cup in September alongside reigning champions the All Blacks, two-time champions South Africa, Italy and Canada. They would not be expected to win a game in this group, but that does not mean that they will not have players that make outstanding contributions.

Venter currently plies his trade with Championship side Jersey Reds, but the World Cup offers an opportunity for players to impress some big clubs across the world. In the past, the World Cup has proven to be a way that players in Tier Two nations can showcase their talents against rugby’s elite, and we have already been given a glimpse of what to expect.

Jacques Burger is probably the most notable Namibian to play in the Premiership, forging a name for himself as one of the hardest players in the league while with Saracens. The World Cup could open the door for some of his compatriots to make a similar move.

In other news: Milner-Skudder’s World Cup hopes over

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Comments on RugbyPass

BA 7 minutes ago

All Black Leicester Fainga’anuku's NPC return confirmed

12/13/ wing for the bench I reckon

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NB 7 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

I think you’re underselling Hastoy a little bit there S. I reckon he’s a better player than that, nor am I convinced Ntamack is such a great game manager at 10 without a strong influence at 9 like Lucu or Dupont inside him. Hastoy takes on more responsibility at LAR than Ntamack does with Toulouse. And I certainly do not know why they started Segonds ahead of him in the first two Tests. Was he unfit?

262 Go to comments

Jimmy 8 minutes ago

The stat in which the Springboks outperformed everyone fivefold in July

All Black pundits blowing smoke………🤔

2 Go to comments

BA 12 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

I thought it was a sabbatical which he has had twice?

44 Go to comments

JW 14 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Even though they drew with France last year?

I haven’t watched the games or followed URC to know if its those same form players though. We’ll have to revisit this come 6N time.

262 Go to comments

NB 16 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Not sure about the Auradou-Brennan equation. I think Auradou is a lineout caller so that may count heavily in his favour.

Depoortere is a good un, but I feel he is already ‘there’ in Galthie’s thoughts before hte tour ever happened! Part of the 2027 group, if you like rather than a newcomer to it.

Mallez I will watch with interest, esp if he can play both sides of the scrum as someone said.

262 Go to comments

JW 16 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Correct by Nick??!! HAHAHAHA he doesn’t even watch SR dude lol

And as I have probably told you already (and Nick has made the point many times as well if you like him as your prophet) one off games do you a lot of good.

Fair enough though that 2017 season was a good go at it, it’s just 2025 now Fran.

You clearly do not follow All Black rugby to a great extent, they are a heavily ‘development’ focused team. They have to be, they live on the smell of an oily rag.

262 Go to comments

JW 20 minutes ago

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Haven’t seen the French scrum go so far backwards until this last test…

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JW 21 minutes ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

I can go along with that be we all know to take domestic footy with a grain of salt comparing to internationals. We have just had an example of this from France with all their form guys getting selected over hardened international players and losing badly.

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JW 24 minutes ago

All Blacks squeeze past France to sweep July series in Hamilton

Well he is, hes saying what happens with these ‘halves’ doesn’t effect ‘moments’, which is absurd.

Yes the All Blacks have been poor in the second half because they’ve lost ‘moments’. Those ‘moments’ happen in certain conditions that occur in the second half LOL!

118 Go to comments

Jfp123 29 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

It will be great if Jalibert improves in defence, but unless and until he improves substantially, I think he should be out of the running for the national team. If you look at the French A side, attack is not usually so much of a problem - they scored 200 points in the last 6 nations without MJ on the pitch. Defence however can be an issue, Penaud isn’t the greatest in that area for a start. So a 10 who is solid in defence is badly needed. And given his poor defence record, MJ would be bound to be targeted by shrewd coaches like Rassi and Razor, so he needs to be able to withstand that.

Also, given sufficient improvement in defence, there are still factors which tell against MJ. I think the 7/1 bench has been a very successful experiment, and for that you need flexible backs who can play in more than one position in case of injury. Then there’s how well the 10 plays with France’s best 9, Dupont. And even if you think MJ is better when there’s no Dupont or 7/1 split, stability in a test team is important, so it’s better not to go chopping and changing the 10 needlessly. There’s also the question of temperament - MJ doesn’t shine at his brightest when it really matters, eg WC quarters and Top14 finals, and look at his test record over the past 2 years.

I see Ntamack as by far the best option at 10. Rugby is a team game, and apart from his excellent defence, there’s his partnership with Dupont, his versatility, and all the other skills that go to making a great team player and a great 10. He’s excellent under the high ball, an area where France tend to have a weakness, and has fine strategic and team management skills, great handling skills and so on.

While having star quality is important, it’s not the be all and end all, as illustrated by UBB this season. Imo, though undoubtedly very good, they underperformed. With best wings, best 9, as Dupont barely played in the Top14, with Jalibert and leading centres and 15, plus a strengthened forward pack, they couldn’t match ST in points scored, despite the latter’s huge injury list which left some positions seriously weakened, at least on paper.

For next season, I hope ST are back to their scintillating best with injuries healed, that LBB is back to rude health for UBB, that the exciting promise of La Rochelle’s and Toulon’s new recruits bears fruit, Bayonne continue to defy their budget and we have a cracking, highly competitive Top14 and Les Bleus triumphant in the autumn internationals and six nations!

262 Go to comments

JW 33 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

As pointed out by Nick and the French posters their players can’t cope with both (even sharing the July window like they have been), players are still too exhausted even through the season. And if the french government is going to crackdown even further on them they’re simply going to have/want to change for their own good.