Namibia took a World Cup blow on Monday when four of their squad playing professionally in South Africa withdrew from their trip Down Under.
Hooker Hugo Horn, prop Jane du Toit, lock Johannes Theron and fullback Lean van Dyk have been replaced by lock Shaun van Rooi, prop Andries Blaauw, hooker Phillipus Isaacs and fullback Vincent Dreyer.
Under International Rugby Board (IRB) rules the quartet will not be allowed to play in South Africa’s Currie Cup competition during the World Cup.
”It is a blow to lose these players. Now we are going to have to hope we don’t have too many injuries because it makes us less competitive,” Namibia’s New Zealand coach Dave Waterston said.
Namibia open their World Cup campaign on October 14 when they play Argentina in Gosford, north of Sydney.
They also play defending champions Australia, Ireland and Romania.
It will be Namibia’s second World Cup appearance having lost all three matches in 1999.
Namibia Rugby Union chief Nikky Bekker also said they were negotiating with their banks an overdraft of 50 000 pounds to carry them over to the 50 000 pound IRB World Cup payment in December.
Revised Namibia World Cup squad
Backs
Vince Dreyer (United RC), Jurie Booysen (Wanderers), Melrick Africa (Reho Falcon), Deon Mouton (Reho Falcon), Corne Powell (Wanderers), Du Preez Grobler (United), Regardt Kruger (Wanderers), Rudie van Vuuren (Wanderers), Morne Schreuder (United), Ronaldo
Pedro (Reho Falcon), Hakkies Husselman (North Western Province/RSA), Emile Wessels (Stellenbosch University/RSA), Desmond Snyders (Rehoboth), Niel Swanepoel (Wanderers)
Forwards
Neil du Toit (South Western Districts/RSA), Johan Jenkins (Old Greys Bloemfontein/RSA), Kees Lensing (Eastern Province/RSA), Andries Blaauw (Etosha Lions), Philipus Isaaks (Reho Falcons), JM Meyer (Wanderers), Heino Senekal (Cardiff/GAL), Shaun van Rooi (University of Namibia), Eben Isaacs (Reho Falcon), Wolfie
Duvenhage (Wanderers), Schalk van der Merwe (Wanderers), Herman Lintvelt (United), Sean Furter (United, capt), Jurgens van Lill (MTK Cape Town/RSA), Archie Graham (Windhoek RC), Cor van Tonde
(United)
– Sapa-AFP