Samoa v Namibia, Rugby World Cup, September 14
Namibia shuffle pack for Samoa clash
ESPNscrum Staff
September 12, 2011
Namibia flanker Jacques Burger puts boot to ball, Romania v Namibia, IRB Nations Cup, Tineretului Stadium, Bucharest, Romania, June 16, 2010
Jacques Burger retains the captaincy © Getty Images
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Teams: Namibia

Namibia coach Johan Diergaardt has opted to give three players their first start in the 2011 campaign to face the formidable Samoans on Wednesday.

The Welwitschias, who lost 49-25 to Fiji on Saturday, are still looking for their first World Cup win. Second-row Nico Esterhuyse moves to the bench to make room for Henk Franken, who will earn his first cap. Flanker Tinus du Plessis and wing Conrad Marais are dropped from the side. Jacques Nieuwenhuis shifts from No.8 to flanker and Llewellyn Winkler moves from the bench into the starting side. PJ van Lill will wear the No.8 jumper and TC Losper has been named on the bench.

Diergaardt said the changes were aimed at improving physicality up front and speed in the backs. He said: "Instead of two big wingers, we went with faster ones."

Nieuwenhuis, who is used to being closer to the action, said he welcomed the switch to flanker and has no doubts about the new faces in the starting line-up. "The No.8 (van Lill) that is in now is an excellent ball carrier, and the wing (Winkler) he brought in is really quick and can use his speed. On the kick chases we want to force (Samoa)."

Namibia: Chrysander Botha; Danie Dames, Danie van Wyk, Piet van Zyl, Llewellyn Winkler; Theuns Kotze, Eugene Jantjies; Johnnie Redelinghuys, Hugo Horn, Raoul Larson, Heinz Koll, Henk Franken, Jacques Nieuwenhuis, Jacques Burger (capt), Pieter Jan van Lill.

Replacements: Bertus O'Callaghan, Jane du Toit, Nico Esterhuyse, Rohan Kitshoff, Ryan de la Harpe, Darryl de la Harpe, TC Losper.

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