Melbourne Rebels forward Hardwick was born in Windhoek but raised in Australia and won two Wallaby caps in 2017.
A World Rugby rule change in 2021 left the door open for a switch to Namibia. It allows test-capped players to represent a second national team if they are eligible, after a period of three years of inactivity with their original country .
"I am happy with where we are and our depth," Coach Allister Coetzee said. "We are not spoilt for choice with players in Namibia.
"The unluckiest player not selected in the 33-man squad is (injured flyhalf) Helarius Kisting."
Experienced centre Johan Deysel will captain the party. Coetzee will add two more unnamed forwards to the squad in the coming days, pending medical clearance and paperwork issues.
Coetzee has roped in former England scrum coach Matt Proudfoot as his assistant. The latter was part of the South Africa coaching team when they won the World Cup four years ago.
Namibia will be appearing at a seventh World Cup having qualified for every tournament since 1999 but have lost every one of their 22 games played.
They will play Italy, France, New Zealand and Uruguay in Pool A.
NAMBIA SQUAD FOR THE RUGBY WORLD CUP:
Forwards: Jason Benade, Adriaan Booysen, Aranos Coetzee, Wian Conradie, Tiaan de Klerk, Prince Gaoseb, Richard Hardwick, Max Katjijeko, Adriaan Ludick, Johan Retief, Desiderius Sethie, Mahepisa Tjeriko, Tjiuee Uanivi, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, PJ van Lill, Casper Viviers
Backs: Oela Blaauw, Danco Burger, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Cliven Loubser, Le Roux Malan, Gerswin Mouton, Chad Plato, Alcino Isaacs, Divan Rossouw, Damian Stevens, Tiaan Swanepoel, Jacques Theron, Andre van der Berg
* Two players to be added.
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