# Namibia at the Rugby World Cup

Namibia has competed in seven Rugby World Cup tournaments, having qualified as the African representative. The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias after the Namibian national symbol, made their first appearance at the Rugby World Cup in 1999 and appeared at the following six tournaments. Namibia has so far played 26 games at that cup without ever winning one.
Namibia's best match result was in 2015 when they lost to Georgia by a single point. Namibia's worst match result was in 2003 when they lost to Australia 0-142, which is the record of the biggest winning margin. So far Namibia has not hosted any World Cup games.

## By position

| Team | 1987 | 1991 | 1995 | 1999 | 2003 | 2007 | 2011 | 2015 | 2019 | 2023 |
| Team | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Namibia | — | — | — | 19th | 20th | 20th | 20th | 18th | 17th | 19th |

## 1999 Rugby World Cup (Pool C)

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 52 | +56 | 9 |
| Fiji | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 124 | 68 | +56 | 7 |
| Canada | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 114 | 82 | +32 | 5 |
| Namibia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 42 | 186 | −144 | 3 |
* 1 October 1999
| Fiji | 67–18 | Namibia |
| Try: Lasagavibau (2) S. Tawake Rauluni Satala Mocelutu Smith Tiko Katalau Con: Serevi (8) Pen: Serevi (2) | | Try: Jacobs Senekal Con: Van Dyk Pen: Van Dyk (2) |
* Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)
* 8 October 1999
| France | 47–13 | Namibia |
| Try: Mola (3) Ntamack Dourthe Mignoni Bernat-Salles Con: Dourthe (4) Pen: Dourthe (3) | | Try: Samuelson Con: Van Dyk Pen: Van Dyk (2) |
* Parc Lescure, Bordeaux Referee: Chris White (England)
* 14 October 1999
| Canada | 72–11 | Namibia |
| Try: Stanley (2) Snow (2) Nichols (2) Charron Ross Williams Con: Rees (9) Pen: Rees (3) | | Try: Hough Pen: Van Dyk (2) |
* Stade de Toulouse Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)

## 2003 Rugby World Cup (Pool A)

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Qualification |
| Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 273 | 32 | +241 | 2 | 18 | Quarter-finals |
| Ireland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 141 | 56 | +85 | 3 | 15 | Quarter-finals |
| Argentina | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 140 | 57 | +83 | 3 | 11 | |
| Romania | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 192 | −127 | 1 | 5 | |
| Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 28 | 310 | −282 | 0 | 0 | |
* 14 October 2003
| Argentina | 67–14 | Namibia |
| Try: Méndez Bouza (2) J. Fernández Miranda Penalty try (2) Gaitán (3) N. Fernández Miranda Con: Quesada (7) Pen: Quesada | | Try: Grobier Husselman Con: Wessels (2) |
* Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford Attendance: 17,887 Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
* 19 October 2003
| Ireland | 64–7 | Namibia |
| Try: Quinlan (2) Dempsey Hickie Horan Miller (2) G. Easterby S. Horgan Kelly Con: O'Gara (7) | | Try: Powell Con: Wessels |
* Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 35,382 Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
* 25 October 2003
| Australia | 142–0 | Namibia |
| Try: Latham (5) Lyons Mortlock Tuqiri (3) Penalty try Rogers (2) Paul Giteau (3) Grey Turinui (2) Burke Roe Con: Rogers (16) | | |
* Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Attendance: 33,000 Referee: Joël Jutge (France)
* 30 October 2003
| Namibia | 7–37 | Romania |
| Try: Isaacs Con: Wessels | | Try: Petrechei Sîrbu Chiriac Teodorescu Săuan Con: Tofan (3) Pen: Tofan (2) |
* Aurora Stadium, Launceston Attendance: 15,457 Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

## 2007 Rugby World Cup (Pool D)

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Argentina | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 33 | +110 | 2 | 18 | Qualified for the quarter-finals |
| 2 | France | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 188 | 37 | +151 | 3 | 15 | Qualified for the quarter-finals |
| 3 | Ireland | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 64 | 82 | −18 | 1 | 9 | Eliminated, automatic qualification for RWC 2011 |
| 4 | Georgia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 50 | 111 | −61 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 30 | 212 | −182 | 0 | 0 | |
* 9 September 2007 20:00
| Ireland | 32–17 | Namibia |
| Try: O'Driscoll 5' c Trimble 19' m Easterby 30' m Penalty try 49' c Flannery 76' m Con: O'Gara (2/5) Pen: O'Gara (1/1) 17' | Report | Try: Nieuwenhuis 60' c Van Zyl 64' c Con: Wessels (2/2) Pen: Wessels (1/2) 40+' |
* Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux Attendance: 33,694 Referee: Joël Jutge (France)
* 16 September 2007 21:00
| France | 87–10 | Namibia |
| Try: Heymans 7' m Marty 11' c Dusautoir 21' c Nallet (2) 32' c, 40+' c Clerc (3) 38' c, 59' c, 65' c Bonnaire 47' c Chabal (2) 49' c, 54' c Élissalde 56' c Ibañez 75' m Con: Élissalde (11/13) | Report | Try: Langenhoven 79' c Con: Losper (1/1) Drop: Wessels (1/1) 10' |
* Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 35,339 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
* 22 September 2007 21:00
| Argentina | 63–3 | Namibia |
| Try: Roncero 25' c Leguizamón (2) 35' m, 52' c M. Contepomi 38' c F. Contepomi 45' c Tiesi 55' m Corleto 58' m Penalty try 63' c Todeschini 71' c Con: Contepomi (4/7) Todeschini (2/2) Pen: F. Contepomi (2/2) 10', 20' | Report | Pen: Schreuder (1/1) 7' |
* Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 55,067 Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
* 26 September 2007 18:00
| Georgia | 30–0 | Namibia |
| Try: Giorgadze 37' c Machkhaneli 70' c Kacharava 80+' c Con: Kvirikashvili (3/3) Pen: Kvirikashvili (3/6) 8', 26', 69' | Report | |
* Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens Attendance: 32,549 Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

## 2011 Rugby World Cup (Pool D)

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | South Africa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 24 | +142 | 21 | 2 | 18 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Wales | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 180 | 34 | +146 | 23 | 3 | 15 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | Samoa | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 91 | 49 | +42 | 9 | 2 | 10 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Fiji | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 167 | −108 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 44 | 266 | −222 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
* 10 September 2011 15:30
| Fiji | 49–25 | Namibia |
| Try: Goneva (4) 6' c, 20' m, 40+' c, 51' c Nakarawa 18' c Nalaga 77' c Con: Bai (5/6) Pen: Bai (3/3) 17', 24', 75' | Report | Try: Koll 43' m Botha 56' m Pen: Kotzé (2/3) 4', 37' Drop: Kotzé (3/3) 11', 13', 15' |
* Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua Attendance: 10,100 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
* 14 September 2011 14:30
| Samoa | 49–12 | Namibia |
| Try: Fotuali'i 1' c Tuilagi (3) 17' c, 35' m, 55' c Williams 59' c Penalty try 70' c Con: T. Pisi (2/2) Williams (2/3) Pen: T. Pisi (2/2) 10', 24' Williams (1/1) 53' | Report | Try: van Wyk 63' m Kotzé 79' c Con: Kotzé (1/2) |
* Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua Attendance: 12,752 Referee: Romain Poite (France)
* 22 September 2011 20:00
| South Africa | 87–0 | Namibia |
| Try: Aplon (2) 7' c, 65' c Habana 22' c Penalty try 30' c Fourie 38' c F. Steyn 49' c M. Steyn 61' c De Jongh (2) 63' c, 71' c Hougaard (2) 68' c, 80' c Rossouw 78' c Con: M. Steyn (6/6) Pienaar (6/6) Pen: M. Steyn (1/1) 4' | Report | |
* North Harbour Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 26,839 Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
* 26 September 2011 19:30
| Wales | 81–7 | Namibia |
| Try: S. Williams (3) 8' m, 47' c, 70' c Brew 14' c Faletau 18' c Jenkins 50' c North (2) 61' c, 66' c J. Davies 62' c L. Williams 75' m Byrne 77' m A. W. Jones 80+' c Con: S. Jones (6/7) Priestland (3/5) Pen: S. Jones (1/1) 3' | Report | Try: Koll 53' c Con: Kotzé (1/1) |
* Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth Attendance: 13,710 Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

## 2015 Rugby World Cup (Pool C)

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | New Zealand | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 174 | 49 | +125 | 25 | 3 | 19 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Argentina | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 179 | 70 | +109 | 22 | 3 | 15 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | Georgia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 53 | 123 | −70 | 5 | 0 | 8 | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Tonga | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 70 | 130 | −60 | 8 | 2 | 6 | |
| 5 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 70 | 174 | −104 | 8 | 1 | 1 | |
* 24 September 2015 20:00
| New Zealand | 58–14 | Namibia |
| Try: Vito 6' c Milner-Skudder (2) 10' m, 40' m Fekitoa 21' c Barrett 31' c Savea (2) 47' c, 75' m Smith 61' m Taylor 79' c Con: Barrett (4/8) 7', 21', 32', 80' Slade (1/1) 48' Pen: Barrett (1/1) 5' | Report | Try: Deysel 51' m Con: Kotzé (0/1) Pen: Kotzé (3/3) 14', 23', 44' |
* Olympic Stadium, London Attendance: 51,820 Referee: Romain Poite (France)
* 29 September 2015 16:45
| Tonga | 35–21 | Namibia |
| Try: Veainu (2) 6' c, 55' m Ram (2) 12' m, 45' m Fosita 25' c Con: Lilo (2/5) 7', 26' Pen: Lilo (1/2) 35' Morath (1/1) 73' | Report | Try: Tromp 18' c Burger (2) 49' c, 67' c Con: Kotzé (3/3) 19', 49', 68' |
* Sandy Park, Exeter Attendance: 10,103 Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
* 7 October 2015 20:00
| Namibia | 16–17 | Georgia |
| Try: Kotzé 74' c Con: Kotzé (1/1) 76' Pen: Kotzé (3/3) 2', 18', 71' | Report | Try: Gorgodze 50' c Malaghuradze 55' c Con: Kvirikashvili (2/2) 51', 56' Pen: Kvirikashvili (1/1) 68' |
* Sandy Park, Exeter Attendance: 11,156 Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
* 11 October 2015 12:00
| Argentina | 64–19 | Namibia |
| Try: Hernández 7' c Moroni 19' c Agulla 24' c Isa 36' m Noguera Paz 40' c Alemanno 49' c Senatore 64' c Montoya 69' c Cubelli 74' c Con: González Iglesias (4/5) 8', 20', 26', 40' Socino (4/4) 50', 65', 70', 75' Pen: González Iglesias (1/2) 12' | Report | Try: Tromp 13' c Greyling 46' c Jantjies 80' m Con: Kotzé (2/2) 14', 47' Redelinghuys (0/1) |
* Leicester City Stadium, Leicester Attendance: 30,198 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)

## 2019 Rugby World Cup (Pool B)

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | New Zealand | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 157 | 22 | +135 | 22 | 2 | 16 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 185 | 36 | +149 | 27 | 3 | 15 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | Italy | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 98 | 78 | +20 | 14 | 2 | 12 | Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 34 | 175 | −141 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
| 5 | Canada | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 177 | −163 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
* 22 September 2019 14:15 JST (UTC+09)
| (1 BP) Italy | 47–22 | Namibia |
| Try: Penalty try 11' Allan 26' c Tebaldi 40+1' c Bellini 44' c Canna 47' c Polledri 70' m Minozzi 76' c Con: Allan (3/3) 27', 40+2', 45' Canna (2/3) 48', 77' | Report | Try: Stevens 6' c Greyling 57' m Plato 79' c Con: Loubser (2/3) 7', 80' Pen: Loubser (1/1) 51' |
* Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka Attendance: 20,354 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
* 28 September 2019 18:45 JST (UTC+09)
| (1 BP) South Africa | 57–3 | Namibia |
| Try: Mbonambi (2) 10' c, 17' c Louw 15' m Mapimpi (2) 27' m, 54' c Am 42' c Gelant 48' c Kolisi 59' m Brits 64' c Con: E. Jantjies (6/9) 11', 19', 43', 50', 55', 66' | Report | Pen: Loubser (1/2) 24' |
* City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota Attendance: 36,449 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
* 6 October 2019 13:45 JST (UTC+09)
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 71–9 | Namibia |
| Try: Reece (2) 6' m, 53' c Lienert-Brown (2) 21' m, 47' c Ta'avao 36' c B. Smith (2) 40+5' c, 68' c Moody 42' m Whitelock 56' c J. Barrett 76' c Perenara 79' m Con: J. Barrett (8/11) 37', 40+6', 44', 48', 53', 57', 69', 77' | Report | Pen: Stevens (3/3) 3', 26', 30' |
* Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu Attendance: 48,354 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
* 13 October 2019 12:15 JST (UTC+09)
| Namibia | 0–0 (Cancelled) | Canada |
* Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Notes:
* Despite both teams naming their sides, this match was cancelled following an evacuation order in Kamaishi during Typhoon Hagibis and awarded as a 0–0 draw.

## 2023 Rugby World Cup (Pool A)

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | France (H) | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 210 | 32 | +178 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 18 | Advance to knockout stage, and qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | New Zealand | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 253 | 47 | +206 | 38 | 4 | 3 | 15 | Advance to knockout stage, and qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | Italy | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 114 | 181 | −67 | 15 | 25 | 2 | 10 | Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Uruguay | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 164 | −99 | 9 | 21 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 37 | 255 | −218 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 0 | |
* 9 September 2023 13:00 CEST (UTC+2)
| (1 BP) Italy | 52–8 | Namibia |
| Try: L. Cannone 11' c P. Garbisi 15' c Lamb 46' c Capuozzo 55' c Faiva 74' c Zuliani 78' c Odogwu 80+3' c Con: Allan (7/7) 12', 16', 48', 57', 75', 79', 80+4' Pen: Allan (1/1) 8' | Report | Try: Mouton 21' m Pen: Swanepoel (1/2) 4' |
* Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne Attendance: 35,515 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
* 15 September 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 71–3 | Namibia |
| Try: Roigard (2) 2' c, 7' m McKenzie (2) 20' c, 39' c Fainga'anuku 25' m Lienert-Brown 35' c De Groot 49' m Papalii 55' c Havili 58' c Clarke 67' c Ioane 77' c Con: McKenzie (8/11) 3', 20', 36', 40', 55', 59', 68', 78' | Report | Pen: Swanepoel (1/1) 11' |
* Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 31,996 Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
* 21 September 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
| (1 BP) France | 96–0 | Namibia |
| Try: Penaud (3) 6' m, 21' c, 55' c Danty (2) 9' c, 26' c Ollivon (2) 18' c, 68' c Flament 33' c Dupont 38' c Bielle-Biarrey (2) 40+1' c, 64' c Couilloud 47' c Jaminet 76' c Penalty try 80' Con: Ramos (12/13) 10', 18', 22', 27', 34', 39', 40+2', 48', 56', 65', 70', 77' | Report | |
* Stade de Marseille, Marseille Attendance: 63,486 Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
* 27 September 2023 17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
| (1 BP) Uruguay | 36–26 | Namibia |
| Try: Amaya (2) 19' m, 49' c Kessler 28' c Arata 54' c Basso 66' c Con: Etcheverry (3/4) 29', 51', 55' Berchesi (1/1) 67' Pen: Berchesi (1/1) 74' | Report | Try: Mouton 1' c Greyling 11' c Con: Swanepoel (2/2) 2', 12' Pen: Swanepoel (4/4) 25', 35', 43', 69' |
* Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu Attendance: 49,342 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

## Overall record

Up to date as of 2023 World Cup
| Namibia vs | Played | Win | Draw | Lost | Win % |
| Argentina | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Canada | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Fiji | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| France | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| Georgia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Ireland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Italy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| Romania | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Samoa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| South Africa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Tonga | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Uruguay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Wales | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Overall | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0% |
Notes:
* The table above excludes the awarded 0–0 draw against Canada during the 2019 World Cup following the cancellation of the match due to Typhoon Hagibis.

## Team records

Most points in a game
* 26 vs Uruguay (2023)
* 25 vs Fiji (2011)
* 22 vs Italy (2019)
* 21 vs Tonga (2015)
* 19 vs Argentina (2015)
Biggest winning margin
* Never won a match.
Most tries in a game
* 3 vs Tonga (2015)
* 3 vs Argentina (2015)
* 3 vs Italy (2019)
* 2 vs Fiji (1999)
* 2 vs Argentina (2003)
* 2 vs Ireland (2007)
* 2 vs Fiji (2011)
* 2 vs Samoa (2011)
* 2 vs Uruguay (2011)
Highest score against
* 142 vs Australia (2003)
* 96 vs France (2023)
* 87 vs France (2007)
* 87 vs South Africa (2011)
* 81 vs Wales (2011)
Biggest losing margin
* 142 vs Australia (2003)
* 96 vs France (2023)
* 87 vs South Africa (2011)
* 77 vs France (2007)
* 74 vs Wales (2011)
Most tries against
* 22 vs Australia (2003)
* 14 vs France (2023)
* 13 vs France (2007)
* 12 vs South Africa (2011)
* 12 vs Wales (2011)

## Individual records

Most appearances overall
* 14 Eugene Jantjies
* 12 PJ van Lill
* 11 Jacques Burger
* 11 Aranos Coetzee
* 11 Tinus du Plessis
* 11 Hugo Horn
* 11 Johnny Redelinghuys
Most points overall
* 59 Theuns Kotzé
* 22 Tiaan Swanepoel
* 22 Leandre van Dyk
* 18 Emile Wessels
* 15 JC Greyling
Most points in a match
* 16 Theuns Kotzé vs Georgia (2015)
* 16 Tiaan Swanepoel vs Uruguay (2023)
* 15 Theuns Kotzé vs Fiji (2011)
* 10 Jacques Burger vs Tonga (2015)
* 9 Theuns Kotzé vs New Zealand (2015)
* 9 Damian Stevens vs New Zealand (2019)
Most tries overall
* 3 JC Greyling
* 2 Jacques Burger
* 2 Heinz Koll
* 2 Theuns Kotzé
* 2 Gerswin Mouton
* 2 Johann Tromp
Most penalty goals overall
* 8 Theuns Kotzé
* 6 Tiaan Swanepoel
* 6 Leandre van Dyk
* 3 Damian Stevens
* 2 Cliven Loubser
* 1 Morné Schreuder
* 1 Emile Wessels