WINDHOEK, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Namibian rugby finds itself at a crucial juncture just weeks before the Rugby Africa Cup, as the men's head coach Chrysander Botha has stepped down from his role.

The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) officially announced on Tuesday that Botha has resigned from his role as head coach of the national team.

NRU President Petrie Theron stated that the NRU fully respects his decision and extends its sincere gratitude for his dedication and valuable contributions to Namibian rugby during his tenure.

Botha, who had been in charge for only seven months, cited 'work commitments' as the reason for his resignation.

"In alignment with its high-performance strategy, the NRU has acted promptly to ensure continuity and effective preparation ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup," he said.

Theron confirmed the appointment of Darryl de la Harpe as technical assistant to the national team.

"A former Namibian international with a wealth of rugby experience and insight, de la Harpe brings significant value to the technical team. He will collaborate closely with the coaching staff to support team readiness and on-field performance," he added.

Adding to the leadership structure, NRU Director of Rugby, Jacques Burger, will now assume leadership of the coaching team. This transition comes at a challenging time, as the squad approaches a critical World Cup qualifying campaign.

Despite the change, Theron assured that "all operational and performance plans remain on track, and the union is committed to fielding a competitive and well-prepared national team."

The Rugby Africa Cup 2025, scheduled for July 8 to 19 in Kampala, Uganda, is a straight knockout format tournament. The winner will secure a direct qualification spot for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, making it the most significant continental competition for African rugby nations outside of South Africa. ■