Zimbabwe qualify for Rugby World Cup

Zimbabwe qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1991 as they held on for a 30-28 victory over Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup final in the Ugandan capital on Saturday.

Zimbabwe has done it ✅
Champions of Africa once again; Undefeated in two consecutive tournaments. And a spot at the world table.
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 has conquered Africa once again 🏆
A battle well fought by Namibia 🇳🇦 but Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 came out victorious pic.twitter.com/ziSzbvus8f — Rugby Afrique (@RugbyAfrique) July 19, 2025

Zimbabwe will take up the berth reserved for the continental competition winner in Australia in 2027, while Namibia will get a second chance to compete at the World Cup through playoffs later this year.

pic.twitter.com/Ha7r0DFOfJ — Zimbabwe Sables 🇿🇼 (@SablesRugbyZW) July 19, 2025

Namibia have qualified for the last seven World Cups, but it will be only a third appearance for Zimbabwe, which competed at the first two tournaments in 1987 and 1991.

The two teams were tied 16-16 at halftime, but two quick tries after the break saw Zimbabwe go 30-16 ahead, only for Namibia to claw their way to a two-point deficit before missing a long-range penalty in the last minute that would have won the game.