- Zimbabwe beat Namibia 30–28 to book a direct ticket to the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
- The match was played on the final day at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Saturday, 19 July.
- This win marks Zimbabwe’s return to the global rugby stage for the first time since 1991, ending a 36-year exile from the sport’s premier tournament.
Zimbabwe have secured qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia after edging Namibia 30–28 in a final of the Rugby Africa Cup 2025, held at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, on Saturday, July 19.
This historic win marks Zimbabwe’s return to the global rugby stage for the first time since 1991, ending a 36-year exile from the sport’s premier tournament.
The Sables delivered a resolute performance to outlast Namibia a formidable side that had featured in the last seven consecutive Rugby World Cups and clinched the continental crown for a second successive time.
Namibia had previously competed in the World Cup editions of 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, establishing regional dominance with an ironclad grip.
However, their reign was halted on Saturday as Zimbabwe, galvanized by a brace of tries from the indomitable centre Kudzai Mashawi and a blistering breakaway score by the electric outside centre Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, turned the tide.
The outstanding Ian Prior, Zimbabwe’s flyhalf, put over 15 points in another wonderful shift by the veteran 34-year-old halfback. He was voted Player-of-the Tournament.
Towering lock Godfrey Muzanargwo, a commanding presence in the engine room, earned Man of the Match honours for his relentless physicality.
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Despite some efforts from Namibian skipper and flanker Prince Goaseb, who rallied his side with a try and tireless leadership, and a late score from his teammates, Namibia could not dismantle Zimbabwe’s tenacious defence.
With this landmark triumph, Zimbabwe becomes the second African nation to confirm its berth at Rugby World Cup 2027, joining reigning world champions South Africa.
Currently ranked 26th in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, Zimbabwe will now shift focus to the World Cup Draw, scheduled for December 2025, where they will discover their pool-stage opponents in the newly expanded 24-team format.
Namibia retain Rugby world Cup hope through play-off path
Although Namibia fell short in the final, their campaign is not over.
As tournament runners-up, they will face the second-placed team from the Asia Rugby Championship the United Arab Emirates, in a decisive cross-regional play-off next Saturday, July 26, again in Uganda.
The winner will progress to the Final Qualification Tournament, keeping their hopes of joining the elite in Australia alive.
Set to run from 1 October to 13 November 2027, Rugby World Cup 2027 will feature 24 nations for the first time in the competition’s history.
Other results from the Rugby Africa Cup 2025 final day
In other matches played earlier, Uganda escaped relegation as they smashed Ivory Coast in the seventh-place final, winning 37–17 to retain their status, while Ivory Coast were relegated.
Kenya Simbas fell to Algeria in the third-place playoff, finishing fourth after a 15–5 loss. Senegal finished fifth after defeating Morocco 33–28 in the fifth-place playoff Morocco.
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Rugby Africa Cup 2025 full tournament results
Match Day 1: Tuesday, 8 July 2025 (EAT)
- Zimbabwe 43–9 Morocco
- Algeria 41–6 Cote d’Ivoire
- Namibia 55–17 Senegal
- Kenya 32–24 Uganda
Match Day 2: Sunday, 13 July 2025 (EAT)
- Cote d’Ivoire 3–28 Senegal
- Morocco 24–12 Uganda
- Algeria 7–21 Namibia
- Zimbabwe 29–23 Kenya
Match Day 3: Saturday, 19 July 2025 (EAT)
- Senegal 33–28 Morocco (5th Place Final)
- Algeria 15–5 Kenya (3rd Place Final)
- Cote d’Ivoire 17–37 Uganda (7th Place Final)
- Namibia 28–30 Zimbabwe (Final)