By Matt Findlay

No one in the Namibian set-up is under any illusions. The Welwitschias would basically need to be touched by the hand of god to progress to the quarter-finals.

But, that’s not what the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC) is really about for Namibia.

It’s about rewarding the form of players, young and old, with a chance to represent their nation at a RWC, and development’s pretty high up on the list too.

Granted, that doesn’t make Namibia any less motivated to score its first win at a RWC.

“I feel the players that have put their hand up have been rewarded with selection,” head coach Phil Davies said.

“There’s a lot of courage and character and we will be doing everything to get that first ever elusive win at a Rugby World Cup.

“I am pleased with the dynamics of the players who are based in Namibia and those who play professionally.

“We couldn’t ask for a group that is more together and more committed.”

“I think it is the strongest group of players who we could have picked to represent Namibia at the Rugby World Cup. There’s some good versatility and a big number of players are in good form as we showed recently when we won four test matches and moved up to number 20 on the world rankings.”

Saracens flanker Jacques Burger will lead the squad, and is among four members of the group who will play in their third RWC, with nine more playing their second.

The Welwitschias take on the All Blacks in their pool C opening clash, before two chances to score their first RWC win against Tonga and Georgia, before finishing with Argentina in Leicester.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Renaldo Bothma (flanker)

After years in the Currie Cup Bothma took his chance in the Super Rugby competition last year, playing 16 games for the Sharks.

He was one of the Sharks’ best throughout the competition, and said prior to the RWC he wanted to bring that experience to the Namibian squad.

One of only a handful of truly elite players in the Namibian squad, this RWC could be as much about catapulting himself onto the international scene as it is helping Namibia succeed.

SQUAD

Forwards: Johannes Coetzee, AJ de Klerk, Jaco Engels, Raoul Larson, Johnnie Redelinghuys, Casper Viviers, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Janco Venter, Tjiuee Uanivi, Renaldo Bothma, Jacques Burger, Wian Conradie, Leneve Damens, Tinus du Plessis, Rohan Kitshoff, PJ van Lill.

Backs: Eneill Buitendag, Eugene Jantjies, Damien Stevens, Theuns Kotzè, Darryl de La Harpe, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Danie van Wyk, Conrad Marais, David Philander, Heinrich Smith, Russell van Wyk, Chrysander Botha, Johan Tromp.

FIXTURES

Thursday, September 24: vs New Zealand; The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London; 8pm

Tuesday, September 29: vs Tonga; Sandy Park, Exeter; 4.45pm

Wednesday, October 7: vs Georgia; Sandy Park, Exeter; 8pm

Sunday, October 11: vs Argentina; Leicester City Stadium, Leicester; 12pm