Venter answers Namibian SOS

 

Esterhuyse and scrumhalf Eneill Buitendag have been forced to withdraw from the Namibian team for in the first Test of the two-match series against Russia this weekend.

 

The 33 test veteran Esterhuyse suffered a calf strain during Tuesday evening's training session at the Hage Geingob Stadium. Venter, his replacement, was initially not available for the first test match due to exams but will now join the squad Friday evening in time for the captain's run.

 

Buitendag, with 12 test caps, would have started the test match from the bench but slipped at training Wednesday evening and suffered a hamstring strain. He will be replaced by Arthur Bouwer.

 

The two injured players will be assessed early next week to determine their availability for the second test against Russia.

 

Namibia – revised: 15 Johan Tromp, 14 David Philander, 13 Danie van Wyk, 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Russel van Wyk, 10 Theuns Kotzé, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 Thinus du Plessis, 7 Thomasua Forbes, 6 Jacques Burger (captain), 5 Jaco Venter, 4 Tjiuee Uanivi, 3 Casper Viviers, 2 DG Wiese, 1 Jaco Engels.

Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Raoul Larson, 18 AJ de Klerk, 19 Renaldo Bothma, 20 Rohan Kitshoff, 21 Arthur Bouwer, 22 JC Greyling, 23 Chrysander Botha.

 

Date: Saturday, July 11

Venue: Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek

Kick-off: 15.00 (17.00 Moscow Time; 13.00 GMT)

Referee: Lesego Legoete (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Jacky Husselmann (Namibia), Harry van Niekerk (Namibia)