Home / Sports / Zimbabwe Ends Namibia's Rugby World Cup Dominance, Secures Spot in 2027 Tournament
Zimbabwe Ends Namibia's Rugby World Cup Dominance, Secures Spot in 2027 Tournament
19 Jul
Summary
- Zimbabwe qualifies for 2027 Rugby World Cup, their 3rd appearance
- Defeated Namibia 30-28 in Rugby Africa Cup final
- Namibia had reached past 7 World Cups, Zimbabwe's 1st since 1991
In a historic upset, Zimbabwe has qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, ending Namibia's long-standing dominance in the African qualifiers. The Sables defeated the Welwitschias 30-28 in the Rugby Africa Cup final held in Kampala, securing their third appearance at the prestigious tournament.
Zimbabwe's qualification marks a significant milestone, as they last competed at the World Cup in 1991. Namibia, on the other hand, had reached the past seven World Cups, making their absence from the 2027 edition all the more surprising.
The final was a closely contested affair, with the scores tied at 16-16 at halftime. However, Zimbabwe pulled ahead in the second half, thanks to tries from Godfrey Muzanargwo and Brandon Mudzekenyedzi. Namibia fought back, but ultimately fell short, unable to overturn the two-point deficit in the final minutes of the match.
This result not only secures Zimbabwe's place in the 2027 World Cup but also brings an end to Namibia's era of dominance in African rugby. The Welwitschias, who were the only other African nation to qualify for the 1995 World Cup, now face a play-off against the United Arab Emirates for a spot in the Final Qualification Tournament.
