TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

08.08.2015
New Zealand v Australia in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa v Argentina in Durban (Rugby Championship)
Ireland v Wales in Cardiff (World Cup Warm Up)
Kenya v Namibia in Windhoek (Africa Cup 1A)

Briefly
The warm up fixtures will be well and truly underway this weekend with the first 6 Nations side hitting out. Ireland and Wales clash in Cardiff.

The Africa Cup 1A competition continues with Namibia at home against up-and-coming Kenya. It will be a big test for both sides. Kenya has impressed this season whilst Namibia will be keen to add the Africa Cup to the silverware cabinet before they land in England for the World Cup. They have another game in Windhoek next weekend. This will be the last Africa Cup 1A game and it will be against Zimbabwe.

The final round of the 2015 Rugby Championship (shortened because of the Rugby World Cup) will see a final between New Zealand and Australia in Sydney. Both teams go into this test match undefeated. Australia, as hosts, will be eager to defeat New Zealand for the first time in four years. New Zealand captain will equal Brian O’Driscoll’s world record 141st test caps. This game will be a cracker. Can’t wait!

In the other game South Africa meets Argentina in Durban to sort out the minor placings. The Rugby Championship though is not really the top prize for 2015. These games are really just curtain raisers.

ZIMBABWE v TUNISIA: Africa Cup 1A

04.07.2015
Zimbabwe 19, Tunisia 8 in Harare (Africa Cup 1A)

Teams

Zimbabwe
1.D Mutamangira (Sharks) 2.R Mwale (College Rovers) 3.F Mudariki (Castres) 4.B Tshamala (Busters) 5.N Ndlovu (University of Johannesburg) 6.N Mukondiwa (Old Georgians) 7.J Leitao (Old Georgians) 8.A Rose (Boroughmuir) 9.C Jiji (Hartbury College) 10.T Makwanya (Old Hararians) 11.T Chitokwindo (Old Hararians) 12.C Makotose (Busters) 13.B Rouse (Old Georgians) 14.S Hunduza (Old Georgians) 15.T Nemadire (Old Hararians)
Replacements
16.N Nyemba (Harrogate RC) 17.K Nqindi (Belhar RC) 18.L Cleminson (Harare Sports Club) 19.F Chipendu (Old Georgians) 20.H Mudariki (University of Johannesburg) 21. L Tambwera (Valke) 23. G Nechironga (Old Hararians)

http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=559

Two games remaining

08.08.2015: Kenya v Namibia in Windhoek
15.08.2015: Zimbabwe v Namibia in Windhoek

KENYA v TUNISIA: Africa Cup 1A

28.06.2015
Kenya 46, Tunisia 15 in Nairobi (Africa Cup 1A)

TEAMS

Kenya line-up from http://www.kenyacup.com
15.Samuel Oliech, 14. Darwin Mukidza, 13. Fabian Olando, 12. Kelvin Omiyo, 11. Jacob Ojee, 10. Isaac Adimo, 9. Lyle Asiligwa, 8. Joshua Chisanga, 7. Mike Okombe, 6. Brian Nyikuli (captain), 5. Ronnie Mwenesi, 4. Oliver Mang’eni, 3. Isaiah Nyariki, 2. Samuel Warui, 1. Moses Amusala
Replacements: 16.Peter Kaaria, 17. Curtis Lilako, 18. Davis Chenge, 19. Lawrence Buyachi, 20. Robert Aringo, 21. Dennis Muhanji, 22. Vincent Mose

Tunisia
15. Khlifa Chams Eddin, 14.Chedi Zabri, 13. Haythem Cheli,12. Ahmed Charrada, 11. Houssem Khalfi, 10. Eddin Khlifa Njem,9. Dhif Achref, 8. Majid Zemzem, 7. Said Mohsen,6. Khalid Zagden (captain),5. Guitari Mokhtar, 4. Achref Ben Hamouda, 3. Mohamed Mlise, 2. Salem Khanfouss,1. Mohammed Chargui
Replacements: 16. Mohamed Yassine, 17. Eddin Missaoui Nasser, 18. Bilel Labidi, 19. Werhani Issam, 20. Hamdi Dimassi, 21. Mansour Ali, 22. Salim Barhoumi

ZIMBABWE v KENYA: Africa Cup 1A

13.06.2015

Venue: Harare

Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)

Preview
Kenya and Zimbabwe kick of their Africa Cup 1A programmes with a clash in Harare.

Prediction: Zimbabwe by 5 points. Score 17-12

TEAMS

Kenya Squad

Forwards; Moses Amusala, Curtis Lilako, Peter Karia, Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), Samuel Warui, Isaiah Nyariki, Lawrence Buyachi, Michael Okombe (Top Fry Nakuru), Ronnie Mwenesi (Nondies), Brian Nyikuli (Strathmore Leos, Captain), Joshua Chisanga (Homeboyz), Davis Chenge (Western Bulls)

Backs; Lyle Asiligwa, Isaac Adimo, Dennis Muhanji (Kenya Harlequin), Kelvin Omiyo (Nakuru RFC), Fabian Olando, Jacob Ojee, Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Robert Aringo , Samuel Oliech, Vincent Mose (Impala Saracens)

Management: Jerome Paarwater (Head Coach), Simiyu Wangila (Team Manager), Chris Makachia (Physio)

http://fourfourtwomedia.com/index.php/2015-05-15-14-16-43/rugby/139-kenya-name-squad-to-face-zim-in-africa-cup

Zimbabwe Squad

Forwards:
Denford Mutamangira (captain), Tatenda Murwira, Farai Mudariki, Pieter Joubert, Lawrence Clemenson, Royal Mwale, Kudzai Muzorewa, Jan Ferreira, Martin Wolfenden, Sanele Sibanda, Biselele Tshamala, Tadiwa Parirenyatwa, Andrew Rose, Fortune Chipendu, Kingsley Lang, Shingai Mpofu, David Makamba

Backs:
Charles Jiji, Taddy Whata, Tichafara Makwanya, Lenience Tambwera, Boyd Rouse, Riaan O’Neil, Stephan Hunduza, Gardner Nechironga, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Tangai Nemadire, Lungile Tshuma, Malvern Maparura, Cleopas Makotose, Daniel Capsopolous, Kuda Chiwanza, Mclean Muhambi, Andrea Banda, Kilvan Magunje

Head Coach: Cyprian Mandenge

https://www.newsday.co.zw/2015/06/09/sables-eye-breakdown-dominance/

AFRICA CUP; 1A

06.06.2015
Namibia 22, Tunisia 14 in Tunis (Africa Cup 1A)

Briefly
Namibia were made to work hard for their win in Tunisia. In very hot conditions 20 minute water breaks were conducted. Namibia led 12-8 at halftime.


Namibian team v Tunisia
Image thanks to https://twitter.com/RugbyNamibia

Blow-by-blow accounts at https://twitter.com/RugbyNamibia

NAMIBIA v TUNISIA: Africa Cup, Division 1A

06.06.2015

Venue: Nabeul, Tunisia

Referee: C.Berdos (France)

Preview
Namibia has an advantage here in that they have a greater exposure to world rugby than does Tunisia. Tunisia is restricted to playing in Africa Cup competition which involved two perhaps three games annually plus the occasional test match friendly against a nations outside Africa.

Tunisia gained promotion to Africa Cup Division 1A after winning the 1B competition in 2014.

This is an important warm-up game for Namibia’s preparations for this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Last Five Encounters
16.06.2013 Namibia 45-13 in Dakar (WCQ Africa; CAR 1B, Final)
28.11.2009 Namibia 22-10 in Windhoek (WCQ Africa, Africa Cup Final, 2nd leg)
14.11.2009 Namibia 18-13 in Tunis (WCQ Africa, Africa Cup Final, 1st leg)
07.10.2006 Namibia 23-15 in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R2, Grp B; Africa Cup B)
01.07.2006 Tunisia 24-7 in Tunis (WCQ Africa R2, Grp B; Africa Cup B)

Encounters between these two nations go back to 1998 when Tunisia won 20-17 in Tunis in a World Cup qualifying game. These games were evenly contested until 2006 when Namibia began to dominate. Results have always been close, last year excepted.

Namibia Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
22.11.2014 v Portugal L 20-29 in Lisbon
07.11.2014 v Canada L 13-17 in Colwyn Bay
29.10.2014 v Germany W 58-20 in Windhoek
06.07.2014 v Madagascar W 89-10 in Antananarivo (WCQ Africa; Africa Cup 1A)
02.07.2014 v Zimbabwe W 24-20 in Antananarivo (WCQ Africa; Africa Cup 1A)

Tunisia Last Five P 5, W3, L 2
14.06.2014 v Ivory Coast W 26-6 in Tunis (CAR Division 1B, Final)
10.06.2014 v Senegal W 22-14 in Tunis (CAR Division 1B, Semi-final)
02.11.2013 v Belgium L 10-26 in Tabiz
15.06.2013 v Namibia L 13-45 in Dakar (WCQ Africa; CAR 1B, Final)
11.06.2013 v Botswana W 43-12 in Dakar (WCQ Africa; CAR 1B, Semi-final)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Africa Table: Namibia 2nd, Tunisia 6th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Namibia 58.27, Tunisia 49.89

Prediction: Namibia by 26 points. Score 39-13

TEAMS

Namibia Squad

Rathony Becker (FNB Western Suburbs, 10 Tests)
Eneill Buitendag (FNB Wanderers, 10)
Johannes (Aranos) Coetzee (Brive, Frankryk, 0)
Leneve Damens (FNB Wanderers, 0)
Tinus du Plessis (FNB Wanderers, 39)
Jaco Engels (Trustco United, 8)
Nico Esterhuyse (FNB Wanderers, 31)
Thomasau Forbes (FNB Western Suburbs, 4)
JC Greyling (Trustco United, 2)
Eugene Jantjies (RCJ Farul, Roemenië, 38)
Shaun Kaizemi (FNB Western Suburbs, 3)
Theuns Kotzé (Bourge Bresse, Frank­ryk, 19)
Conrad Marais (Beziers, Frankryk, 4)
David Philander (Spotswood United, Nieu-Seeland, 18)
Heinrich Smit (Pukke, 6)
Johann Tromp (FNB Wanderers, 11)
Tjiuee Uanivi (Brive, Frankryk, 3)
PJ van Lill (Dax, Frankryk, 33)
Danie van Wyk (Trustco United, 9)
Casper Viviers (Trustco United, 7)
Roderique Victor (FNB Western Suburbs, 2)
DG Wiese (FNB Wanderers, 2)

http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=515

Tunisia squad not available