The Namibian Rugby Union has appointed Jacques Burger as the country’s new rugby director, replacing former South Africa coach Allister Coetzee, according to local Sports Wrap. A former international and Namibia’s captain, Burger, who represented his country at three World Cups as a dynamic flanker, will lead a fresh coaching team for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign. It was also revealed that his former teammate, Chrysander Botha, will serve as head coach.

Burger has a wealth of international experience, having won two English Premiership titles at Saracens during his time in the Aviva Premiership with the club. He is a hugely respected coach, and his appointment will have Namibian fans excited to see what the former loose forward can do for the national side.

Namibia, drawn in Pool B of Japan 2019 alongside Canada, Italy, New Zealand, and South Africa, will be looking to end their 19-match World Cup losing run at the tournament. However, the presence of top-ranked teams in their group will make it challenging for head coach Phil Davies and his team.

• Read more: New Zealand’s 3-0 Series Win Over India

The squad combines youth and experience, with 14 players set to appear at their third RWC tournament. Meanwhile, several squad members are veterans of previous events, including Burger and Botha, as well as props Johnnie Redelinghuys and Tinus du Plessis. Likewise, scrum-half Eugene Jantjies has been selected for his fourth World Cup, while flankers Darryl de la Harpe and Rohan Kitshoff have appeared in two previous tournaments.

Allister Coetzee had taken over the reins of the Namibian rugby side in June 2021 and helped them qualify for last year’s World Cup, but was unable to help them secure their first-ever win at rugby’s showcase event, with the Welwitschias finishing bottom of their Pool B after heavy defeats to Argentina, Uruguay, and France.

However, Namibia has turned the corner with the appointment of Burger and Botha. The trio, along with assistant coaches Rohan Kitshoff and Jaco Engels, are all expected to add a wealth of experience to the squad.

The new team is set to be put through its paces at the Rugby Africa Cup, which will be held in Uganda in July. The competition will serve as the second round of qualifiers for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup. Namibia is currently sixth in the rankings. The top four teams will join hosts Uganda in the repechage stage of the tournament. The winners of that round will advance to the finals in Tokyo, which will be played from November 30 through December 2. Namibia is currently sixth in the rankings and must play a repechage match this weekend to boost their chances of qualifying.