Everything to play for as Namibia and Zimbabwe battle for RWC 2027 ticket

There is everything to play for as Namibia take on defending champions Zimbabwe in the Rugby Africa Cup final at the Namboole Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on Saturday 19 July 2025.

Direct Rugby World Cup Qualification

First up is direct qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup taking place in Australia. Namibia have played at every Rugby World Cup since their maiden appearance in 1999 while Zimbabwe are out to return to the global competition 36 years after the last of their two appearances in 1991, having represented the continent at the inaugural tournament in New Zealand in 1987.

While the loser of this match still has a lifeline by way of playing the United Arab Emirates for a berth at the last chance saloon that is the Final Qualification Tournament, both sides will be keen to get the business done on Saturday.

Namibia legend Jacques Burger who now coaches the team featured at three tournaments in 2007, 2011 and 2015. He spoke of the immense national pride that comes with playing at the Rugby World Cup, saying in an interview with World Rugby, “It’s a sense of pride you can’t explain, standing there singing your national anthem, and knowing people back home are supporting you, and obviously, people are supporting you there as well.”

“Getting an opportunity to play against the world’s best rugby players is an unbelievable experience, and I have been fortunate enough to experience that,” he added.

And with Saturday’s match in mind, Burger, a menacing backrow grafter in his day said, “The World Cup is the ultimate goal and we’ll make sure we do everything possible to qualify.”

For Zimbabwe’s Ian Prior, the opportunity to play at the 2027 tournament is all too tempting. You see,the former Queensland Reds, Brumbies and Western Force man was born in Australia to Zimbabwean parents and will technically be at home for this tournament should Zimbabwe make it. 

“We’ve given ourselves a shot, which is very pleasing, given all the hard work that has gone in from a lot of people from inside and outside of the team over the last 12 to 18 months to get us to this position,” he told World Rugby.

“And now it is time to go and enjoy it for what it is. Playing for that spot in the World Cup is really exciting, and the cool thing from a team perspective is that we haven’t really played to our potential yet in this tournament,” he added.

Continental & Regional Bragging Rights

Zimbabwe come into this match as the reigning African champions, having defeated Algeria 29-3 in last year’s final at the same venue. How sweet it would be for them to retain the title over a Namibia team that emerged on the continental scene in 1993 and eventually stole their shine as Africa’s pre-eminent rugby playing nation outside of South Africa.  The Sables will also be out to prove that last year’s 32-10 win, only their third ever against Namibia, was no flash in the pan. 

Namibia will have other ideas as they go in pursuit of an eighth successive RWC appearance, having featured in 1999,2003,2007,2011,2015,2019 and 2023. 

These ingredients make Saturday’s Rugby Africa Cup final one worth looking forward to.

Both sides have declared their match day squads.

Zimbabwe 15.Tapiwa Mafura, 14. Matthew McNab, 13. Brandon Mudzekenyezi, 12. Kudzai Mashawi, 11. Edward Sigauke, 10. Ian Prior, 9. Hilton Mudariki, 1. Victor Mupunga, 2. Simba Mandioma, 3. Cleopas Kundiona, 4. Godfrey Muzanargwo, 5. Simba Siraha, 6. Tinotenda Mavesere, 7. Dylan Utete, 8. John Fraser REPLACEMENTS 16. Liam Larkan, 17. Tyran Fagan, 18. Bornwell Gwinji, 19. Tadiwa Gwashu, 20. Aiden Burnett, 21. Keegan Joubert, 22. Dion Khumalo, 23. Bruce Houston

Namibia 15. Cliven Loubser, 14. Jay-Cee Nel, 13. Le Roux Malan, 12. Danco Burger, 11. Jurgen Meyer, 10. Andre van der Berg, 9. Jacques Theron, 1. Otja Auala, 2. Louis van der Westhuizen, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 4. Adriaan Ludick, 5. Tiaan de Klerk, 6. Prince Gaoseb, 7. Wian Conradie, 8. Richard Hardwick  REPLACEMENTS 16. Armand Combrinck,17. Jason Benade,18. Haitembu Shikufa,19. Johan Retief,20. Max Katjijeko, 21. AJ Kearns,22. Tiaan Swanepoel, 23. Adriaan Booysen