Botha double eases Namibia to sixth successive Rugby World Cup
ByReuters
Published 18/08/2018 at 15:56 GMT
WINDHOEK, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Veteran fullback Chrysander Botha scored two tries as Namibia sealed a sixth successive qualification for the Rugby World Cup with a 53-28 victory over Kenya at the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium on Saturday.
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The Southern African side, coached by former Wales international Phil Davies, will play in Pool B at the global finals in Japan next year alongside world champions New Zealand, South Africa and Italy, with the winner of the Repechage competition to complete the group.
The clash in Windhoek was a straight shootout for top spot in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup and automatic World Cup qualification. Namibia eased to a full haul of 25 points and top spot, with Kenya losing for the first time in the competition.
Namibia were overwhelming favourites to win given their prowess on attack and the ability of their forwards to get front-foot ball all through the competition in which they averaged 70 points per game.
They led 22-7 at halftime in the pool decider, with their other scores coming from flyhalf Cliven Loubser, centre Darryl de la Harpe, hooker Louis van der Westhuizen, lock Mahepisa Tjeriko and a penalty try.
Sevens stalwart Willy Ambaka scored two tries for Kenya having made his test debut earlier this month against Tunisia, with lock Malcolm Onsando and scrumhalf Mohammed Omollo also crossing the line.
Namibia have now appeared at every World Cup since their first in 1999, though their 19 previous matches at the finals have all ended in defeat with more than 1,000 points conceded.
Kenya will now enter the Repechage phase to be staged in Marseille in November along with Canada, Hong Kong and Germany, which will complete the 20-team finals field, as they seek a first ever World Cup berth. (Reporting By Nick Said Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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