Namibia continue their European tour with a stop at the famous Felix Mayol, home of Toulon rugby, to face the invitational French Barbarians in a friendly. The Welwitchias didn’t show a whole lot against Canada aside from a strong scrum, and with a number of development players in the side this week they could find themselves on the wrong side of a blowout.
Most disappointing for both Namibian fans and the locals is the withdrawal of their two best players, Jacques Burger and Chrysander Botha. The Exeter fullback suffered a serious ankle injury against Canada that looks set to keep him out of the rest of the Premiership season, though it’s hoped he’ll recover in time for the World Cup. Burger meanwhile has returned to Saracens, opting not to play the remaining two matches of the tour.
In his absence Rohan Kitshoff inherits the captain’s armband that he also wore against Germany a fortnight ago. Tinus du Plessis was due to join him on the flank, but is once again a late scratch, with Morné Blom instead sliding over from the second row. Stefan Neustädt fills in at lock, and Jaco Engels replaces Johnny Redelinghuys at loosehead prop. 20 year old D.G. Wiese, comfortable at hooker or flanker, has been added to the bench to replace du Plessis.
Ryan de la Harpe gets the start at scrumhalf this week swapping with Neila Buitendag, with Russell van Wyk the man taking Botha’s spot at the back. Dublin-based J.C. Greyling replaces Johan Deysel in the midfield, and Malcolm Moore slots in on the wing with David Philander moving to the bench.
The Barbarians have a limited number of international players at their disposal, and have filled the squad with Top 14 veterans instead. Both Rene Ranger and James O’Connor have cried off during the week, replaced by Josua Tuisova and Alexis Palisson respectively. Virgile Bruni and Gerhard Vosloo have also dropped out, with Alexandre Bias and Karim Ghezal brought in to form a very big back row unit along with Matthew Clarkin.
Thankfully Jules Plisson has stuck around, as have a trio of top quality second rows in Julien Le Devedec, Robins Tchale-Watchou, and Uruguay’s Rodrigo Capo who starts on the bench. French internationals Vincent Debaty and Luc Ducalcon pack down on either side of home town favorite Jean-Charles Orioli, and once-capped Félix Le Bourhis forms an exciting midfield combination with captain for the day Henry Chavancy.
Hopefully the Barbarian spirit that has brightened the rugby world in recent weeks makes its way to France. With some wonderfully skilled backs on display there should be an opportunity to throw the ball around and have some fun. Namibia might find some space against a less organized defense, but keeping the French out will be a problem. Barbarians by 20.
FRENCH BARBARIANS vs NAMIBIA
Friday, November 14, 18:00 GMT, Toulon
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)
Assistants: t.b.d. (FFR) & t.b.d. (FFR)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)
