Cruel luck rules out Gerswin ... again

There is no doubt that Namibia will need its biggest guns and sharpest tools if it hopes to deliver an almighty shock to Samoa and the international game of rugby this November in Dubai.

Samoa’s place at the Final Qualifying Tournament this November (8th to 18th) in Dubai was confirmed last weekend, when they lost to Chile in Viña del Mar.

Four nations will then contest the last available spot to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, with Samoa (16th on the world rankings this week) by far the favourite against Belgium (22nd), Namibia (27th) and either Brazil (28th) or Paraguay (38th).

Gerswin Mouton, Namibia’s talented 25-year-old wing who scored tries against Italy and Uruguay at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, will be out of contention after undergoing a knee operation on 16 September.

Mouton had a fabulous debut season (2024-2025) for French club Grenoble, scoring 14 tries in 21 matches. Despite the team qualifying for the Pro D2 final against Montauban last June, Mouton was ruled out with an unfortunate knee injury during the final that required an operation.

Mouton thus missed out on the Rugby Africa Cup 2025 / Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifier in Uganda last July, where Zimbabwe delivered a shock to beat Namibia 30-28 and end a three-decades absence from the World Cup.

The Namibian wing recovered in time for the start of Grenoble’s current French Pro D2 season at the end of August, but played only two matches, with one try in the opener against Oyonnax, before suffering another traumatic injury that had him stretchered off on 5 September against Aurillac.

Mouton was jumping followed a kick-chase, but on his landing he tore ligaments in his other knee.