Rugby World Cup 2023 – Unusual. Bitten by a spider, Namibian Johan Retief is done with his World Cup
Bitten by a spider at his team’s hotel in Aix-les-Bains, Namibian Johan Retief was unable to apply to face Uruguay this Wednesday evening. The bite having become infected, the third or second row underwent treatment and finished with his World Cup.
This story goes directly into the unusuals of this 2023 World Cup. Starting against the Blues last Thursday with the number 7 on his back, Namiben Johan Retief will not face Uruguay this Wednesday evening.
The reason ? The Griquas player in South Africa was bitten by a spider in Aix-les-Bains, at the hotel where the Namibians have been living since the start of the World Cup.
Stung in the chest, Retief had to go to treatment because of an infection. This stroke of bad luck therefore prevents him from facing the Teros for the Welwitschias’ last outing in the competition.
Chrisander Botha, one of Allister Coetzee’s assistants, spoke about this package: “It’s something we couldn’t have predicted. Johan is very unlucky, and we’re disappointed because he’s a player who means a lot to us since he can play number 4 and in the third line.”
Namibia already deprived of four players
In great difficulty in this World Cup with three defeats in three matches, the Namibians are unlucky.
Johan Retief is added to the long list of players unavailable for this duel against Uruguay. Victim of a broken ankle against New Zealand, Le Roux Malan is obviously out, while captain Johan Deysel, excluded against the Blues after his tackle on Antoine Dupont, will not play either. He was also suspended six games.
