Think African rugby and you think of South Africa.
World champions in 1995 and genuine contenders to win the tournament in England later this year, the Springboks are the symbol of the sport on the continent.
But perhaps that is about to change. Namibia know they will never take South Africa’s crown as top dogs, but having cemented their spot as the second-best team on the Cape they are desperate to win their first ever World Cup match when the tournament begins in England this September.
Namibia have brought together players from all four corners of the world and developed team spirit as well as tactics.
So far their World Cup record reads Played 15, Lost 15, but there is genuine optimism this could be their time.
Key to that is the emergence of a strong group of players who – crucially – are both professional and playing at the highest level in Europe and the southern hemisphere.
From Renaldo Bothma and Chrysander Botha to inspirational skipper Jacques Burger, this is a team with some stellar talent.
Perhaps that was why the resignation of coach Danie Vermeulen in late June was such a shock. The following war of words between Vermeulen and the Namibian Rugby Union only halted when the players issued a public statement asking for the country to get behind them, but the fear was the damage had been done.
Instead, new coach Phil Davies – formerly of the Cardiff Blues and a consultant to the team prior to Vermeulen’s exit – and France-based lock Tijuee Uanivi are surprisingly upbeat.
After all, they argue, the groundwork had been all but completed.
‘It is a big challenge,’ Davies tells TRUE Africa when asked how much influence he can have on the side in such a short space of time leading into the tournament.
‘I was very disappointed Danie resigned as we had worked together since last October and I had a lot of respect for him.
‘However, we have a playing philosophy that had been developed with the previous coaching team, and we have continued down that road.’
‘I think it can be done and the squad, management and the whole nation is hungry for that first win.’
In short, although the leader may have changed, the team’s course remains the same.
For Namibia that means bringing together players from all four corners of the world and developing team spirit as well as tactics.
Barbeques and beers have been plentiful, all in the aim of being ready for the daunting challenge of facing reigning champions New Zealand in their opening game before more winnable matches against Tonga and Georgia, followed by a tough final tie with Argentina.
‘New Zealand is probably the game every single rugby player would want to be in so I am so excited,’ says Uanivi, who plays for Brive in the Top 14.
‘To win a game – it would be unexplainable. It would mean a great deal and would spear-head our rugby into a new, greater direction.
‘I think it can be done and the squad, management and the whole nation is hungry for that first win.’
If they are to be successful they will need the likes of Burger to be to the fore. It was a measure of the Saracens flanker that he was named one of the five best players in the 2011 Rugby World Cup despite Namibia losing each of their four games, and he is central to his country’s cause.
‘In Namibia we are blessed with some really good senior guys,’ says Davies.
‘Jacques is a very inspirational leader and the most humble of men. He leads from the front every time and provides calm and perspective when required.’
And Namibia knows they need to make a statement of intent. Zimbabwe are improving but Kenya, particularly in the Sevens, are seen as the coming force.
Retaining their status as number two to the Springboks is all-important.
‘African rugby is really improving with the likes of the Kenya Sevens and Zimbabwe, but there’s still a long way to go,’ says Uanivi.
‘It’s even more important for us to get better and improve.’
Finally winning a game at the World Cup would be a big step towards doing just that.