Namibia into RWC 2011

Namibia beat Tunisia 22-10 in a tense and physical match in Windhoek on Saturday to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and join world champions South Africa, Wales, Fiji and Samoa in Pool D.

The victory gives Namibia a 40-23 aggregate victory after they won the first leg in Tunis 18-13 a fortnight ago, the first time the away side had won an encounter between the two African rivals.

The battle for the Africa 1 qualifying spot was still wide open at half time with Tunisia holding a narrow 10-9 lead.

However, the visitors’ discipline let them down as they were continuously penalised for offside and ruck infringements with Namibian fly half Emile Wessels taking full advantage with his accurate boot.

In the final minutes the visitors’ frustrations boiled over as players from both sides were involved in a melee, which resulted in a red card and three yellow cards being issued by referee Marius Jonker.

The victory at the Hage Geingob Stadium ensured Namibia’s qualification for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand the fourth successive time that they have qualified for the tournament. Tunisia have another chance to qualify for their first ever World Cup, via the cross-continental play-off next year.

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