Kenya Simbas coach lands new role in Namibia
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 15.04.26. | 14:31
His appointment comes at a critical time for Namibia, who recently failed to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup after a narrow 30-28 loss to Zimbabwe in the Africa Cup final
Current Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater has taken up a new role with the Namibian Rugby Union as a consultant, marking another significant step in his long-standing involvement in African rugby.
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The seasoned tactician, who has roots in Western Province rugby and is also affiliated with the Stormers, will not assume a head coaching position in Namibia. Instead, his role will focus on strengthening the country’s rugby foundations following a difficult period for the national team.
According to reports from Rapport, Paarwater has been tasked with overhauling club structures, improving coaching standards, and offering strategic guidance aimed at long-term sustainability.
“My role is primarily about building from the ground up, ensuring that the structures support sustainable rugby success,” Paarwater said.
His appointment comes at a critical time for Namibia, who recently failed to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup after a narrow 30-28 loss to Zimbabwe in the Africa Cup final. The defeat denied them automatic qualification, and their subsequent showing in the final qualifying tournament in Dubai failed to salvage their campaign.
The miss marked a historic low for Namibia, who had featured in the previous seven editions of the global showpiece. The failure has also had financial implications, with World Rugby reducing funding, limiting the union’s ability to sustain full-time roles.
Paarwater’s consultancy also follows major structural changes within the Namibian setup. Former captain Jacques Burger and his coaching staff exited in December, just months after Burger had taken over as director of rugby in 2024 from Allister Coetzee, who led Namibia at the 2023 World Cup.
Early signs of Paarwater’s involvement have already been seen on the ground. In a recent update shared by the Namibia Rugby Union, the coach visited coastal clubs, including Sparta, Kudus, Oceans, and Dolphin Rugby Clubs, where he engaged with coaches and support staff to share knowledge and strengthen relationships within the grassroots structures.
“Building connections across the coast,” the union noted in a Facebook post, as Paarwater visited clubs including Sparta, Kudus, Oceans, and Dolphin.
“Sharing his knowledge and plans for Namibia Rugby, while connecting with coastal clubs… created valuable opportunities to engage with coaches and support staff, strengthening relationships and supporting the continued growth of the game,” the post continued.
The union also emphasised the importance of collaboration in the rebuilding process.
“The visits created valuable opportunities to engage with coaches and support staff, strengthening relationships and supporting the continued growth of the game."