Top rugby clubs aim to reach 2026 final

Four worthy contestants have advanced to the semi-finals of the Namibia Rugby Union premier league at the Hage Geingob Stadium on Saturday.

An exciting day of knockout rugby will get going at 09:15 with the final of the NRU first division, where a new champion will be crowned after Tsumeb’s Etosha Lions did not enter the competition this year, in favour of supporting FNB Grootfontein’s campaign in the NRU premier league.

Oranjemund will take on Windhoek club Vipers in the final, after they respectively eliminated Oceans (Walvis Bay) and Keetmanshoop Rams in the semi-finals.

Oranjemund will however be without the services of their captain and centre Gino Wilson, who has been drafted into the national sevens team for a Rugby Africa Sevens Series tournament in Mauritius 3 and 4 October.

In fact, the absences of the selected sevens players, who depart today for a training camp in Stellenbosch, will be a factor in the team selection of three of the four NRU premier league semi-finalists’ coaching teams, with the exception of FNB Grootfontein.

Defending champions FNB Kudus will be without three potent backline players in Aurelio Plato, Aston Mukwiilongo and Lucio Isaacs for their semi-final against Montego United, after these rival clubs concluded the regular season in third and second spots, respectively.

United’s three inclusions on the sevens tour are JD Nel, who is an undoubted leadership figure irrespective whether he was used as a centre or loose forward, and the versatile backs Irongwa Atshivudhi and Enrique Husselmann.

Saturday presents the latest chapter of the United vs Kudus rivalry, with both teams capable of dominating up front and to inject loads of flair and speed with their backlines.

Semi-final 2

FNB Wanderers has had a great season so far, but will be wary that Grootfontein was the one opponent to spoiled an otherwise unbeaten record (37-32). Grootfontein also surprised with their determination when they beat Wanderers in last year’s JSB Gold Cup final with the identical scoreline.

FNB Grootfontein captain Wikus Jacobs told Sport Wrap that they should have a fully fit squad without injuries, for their trip to the capital to face Wanderers in the premier league, as well as Unam II in the reserve league semi-final.

“We respect both of our opponents, in what should be a tough encounter. It will likely come down to the side making less mistakes, to win and proceed to the final. We embrace our status as underdogs and we usually manage to respond with our best performances.”

No team lists for the semi-finals were confirmed at the time of going to print yesterday.

Head-to-head results of the premier league semi-finalists this season (home team first):

25 April, Grootfontein 37-32 Wanderers

25 July, Wanderers 33-31 Grootfontein

25 April, United 43-36 Kudus

25 July, Kudus 53-38 United

• Full fixtures on page 2.

• LIVE broadcast of all matches on

NTV and https://oneuptwo.com