Welwitschias save the Rhinos

Several opportunities for a second win and a more respectable finishing position in the 2023 Mzansi Challenge slipped through the fingers of the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias on Saturday.Instead, the Namibians had to settle for a losing bonus point when they narrowly lost 24-25 to the San Clemente Rhinos at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek.With time running out, flyhalf Henrique Olivier had two opportunities from the kicking tee, but the first of these penalties hit the upright post, while the second flew harmlessly wide to the right.Good startWhen Welwitschias captain Prince !Gaoseb knocked on the first kick-off and immediately gave the visiting team a scrum, from which they scored to take the lead 7-0, it truly galvanised the Namibian number eight. !Gaoseb’s high work rate on defence and physicality in his ball carrying put him back in the conversation for player of the match – until he unfortunately once again spilled the highly valuable ball that bounced off the Rhinos upright from Olivier’s kick at the end.Olivier also had a mostly good outing starting at nr. 10, with the exception of missing out on those two match-winning kicks and one earlier penalty.JC Greyling, making a return from his surprise retirement announcement last year, slotted right back in on his return at leftwing and finished off the first try for the home side – sent away by Danco Burger despite the centre receiving a bad pass.From 7-7 and with penalties exchanged between Olivier and Jack Hart, the Rhinos took a 12-10 lead into half-time.The Welwitschias took the initiative three minutes later, with Olivier attacking the line and sending Hilllian Beukes through, with JC Greyling in support being pulled down just short. From there, scrumhalf Jacques Theron darted over for the try, converted by Olivier.Promising endingThe Rhinos hit back with a converted try from a lineout maul, before the next Namibian opportunity after 56 minutes elected to scrum from a penalty on the goalline, from where right wing Gerswin Mouton took a pass in the flyhalf channel to crash over next to the upright, converted by Olivier (24-22).The Rhinos took the decisive lead with another penalty by Danny Mokhoabane, and despite several promising Namibian attacks, they could not add any more points.After five matches in a row, the Welwitschias earn a timely weekend off before preparing for the North West Leopards coming to Walvis Bay on 6 May.

Welwitschias save the Rhinos

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Republikein 2025-06-20

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Welwitschias save the Rhinos

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