The famous uncertainty of sport only very rarely concerns rugby. And despite the mush regurgitated by the XV of France against Uruguay (27-12), we can say without getting too wet that the Blues will inflict on Namibia this Thursday in Marseille its 25th defeat in 25 World Cup matches .
Moreover, even the coach of the Welwitschias (an endemic plant, for the curious) is not trying to bluff: “Our state of mind is to prepare ourselves for the last match, to see what the players can offer and have the best possible team at that time,” said South African Allister Coetzee on Wednesday, asked about the rotations made in his starting XV after the roustes against Italy (52-8 ) then New Zealand (71-3).
But before this “final” against Uruguay on September 27 in Lyon, there is this obligatory and probably difficult passage for the 21st nation in the world (only the Chilean newcomer, 22nd, is ranked lower by World Rugby in this competition ), which delights at least one Namibian: the 2nd or 3rd line Pieter-Jan Van Lill. “It will be an honor to play against them,” anticipated the former Bayonnais in the mixed zone in Toulouse, after the match against the All Blacks which he started on the bench, as will again be the case this Thursday. I have a friend who plays for France, Paul [Willemse]. Unfortunately, he is injured. »
Turned pro at 30
PJ Van Lill is in great shape despite his almost 40th birthday (December 4), which makes him the dean of this World Cup final phase, his fourth personal after 2011, 2015 and 2019. Another particularity: the one who discovered the professionalism that at the age of 30, by arriving in Dax, today plays in Regional 2. In other words, the 9th division, on the side of the Capbreton-Hossegor agreement, where he arrived in 2022 from Valencia-Novels.
As a living environment, we have seen worse than this superb corner of the Landes coast. But to prepare for a World Cup? In addition to group training in the evening, the former Top 14, Pro D2 and National player undertook individual strength training sessions, CrossFit option. “Working alone is sometimes complicated,” admits the guy (1.92 cm, 115 kg) with graying hair and beard. But complaining is not really the style of the house. “I have a lot of respect for people who play at this level. You work during the day and train in the evening. It’s very complicated. »
However, his personal situation is not simple either. Holder of a dental surgeon’s diploma, specializing in cosmetic dentistry, obtained in South Africa, Van Lill worked in practice on his return to Namibia. But in France, no equivalence is possible without competition. “Each year, an examination is organized to fill available positions, he explained to the daily at the end of August South West. In 2022, there was no exam, and in 2021 there were 600 for 6 positions. I got the required score on the exam, but I wasn’t in the top six. »
Sports retirement soon
The Namibian intends to persevere after the World Cup, since he wants to stay and live near Bayonne. “I applied for French nationality. My family is based in France, my children were born there. I feel French, my friends are French. We love the culture, we are very happy here. » It is also for his 7-year-old daughter and his 5-year-old son that PJ Van Lill plans to put away his crampons after the World Cup. “I have some suggestions but I want to be calm. My children want me to stop. Since they were born, I have never spent the weekend with them. »
Before the pin, there is this World Cup to finish as best (or as least badly) as possible. Because if the story of the almost forty-year-old who returned to the amateur world is one that a journalist likes to tell, it also says a lot about the difficulties of Namibian rugby.
“I think people don’t realize the challenges that rugby players in this country face,” Allister Coetzee observed on Wednesday. There are less than 1,000 licensees. Players work full time. Some had to quit their jobs to play in the World Cup. Others drive five hours to train and five hours to get home. When players come here, it’s not always the result that matters, but the fight they fight. They never give up, they keep fighting until the end. »And sometimes, until they are 40 years old.