Namibia’s coach Phil Davies made 10 changes to the starting team for the Pool B match against South Africa at the City of Toyota Stadium on Saturday.
The only survivors from the 47-22 defeat to Italy are captain Tjiuee Uanivi, Cliven Loubser, JC Greyling, Chad Plato, and Johan Tromp.
The changes represent the second highest ever by the country in between Rugby World Cup matches. The record, which stands at 11, was set four years ago when the Welwitschias prepared to face Argentina.
Scrum-half Eugene Jantjies, the first Namibian to appear in four Rugby World Cups, will extend his record of all-time appearances for his country to 68.
Namibia will hope to cause an upset against a Springboks side, who are heavy favourites to win the match dubbed the “African derby”.
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus, himself, acknowledged that the two-time World champions will not take the match lightly in light of the defeat to New Zealand.
The match will be the third between the two sides with the South Africans recording two emphatic victories: 105-13 in 2007 and 87-0 in 2011.
Starting XV: Desiderius Sethie, Louis van der Westhuizen, AJ De Klerk, Johan Retief, Tjiuee Uanivi (c), Thomasau Forbes, Muharua Katjijeko, Adriaan Booysen, Eugene Jantjies, Cliven Loubser, Lesley Klim, Peter John Walters, JC Greyling, Chad Plato, Johan Tromp.
Replacements: Obert Nortje, Andre Rademeyer, Johannes Coetzee, Prince Gaoseb, Janco Venter, Wian Conradie, Helarius Kisting, Johan Deysel.
