Rugby Africa Cup title sees a return to the World Cup after 34-year wait

After 34 years without qualifying for a Rugby World Cup, Zimbabwe have finally done it, defeating Namibia in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup final, surviving a late scare to earn a 30-28 victory to overcome their oldest African rivals.

The Welwitschias were the first team to get some points on the scoreboard, following a penalty conversion taken by full-back Cliven Loubser.

Zimbabwe levelled immediately after, with former Western Force playmaker Ian Prior successfully notching his first three points of the match.

Both teams added one more penalty each before Zimbabwe got their first real chance to strike deep inside Namibia’s half. After a clean lineout, centre Kudzai Mashawi brushed off two incoming tacklers and kept running until he reached the whitewash for the Sables fans’ delight.

Fixture

British & Irish Lions

Australia

19 - 27

Full-time

British & Irish Lions

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While Namibia seemed to lose their grip, the reigning champions had a clear opportunity to expand their lead but kept fumbling the ball and allowing their African rivals to have some breathing space. The best Zimbabwe could do was another penalty kick slotted in by Ian Prior. 

Down by 10 points with 14 minutes to go until the break, Jacques Burger’s team finally found their footing and equalised the score thanks to another penalty converted by Loubser and a try from captain Prince !Gaoseb.

With both teams locked in a 16-point affair at the break, what followed next were a nerve-wracking final 40 minutes.

The Sables took back the lead three minutes into the second half, after a powerful pick-and-go from lock Godfrey Muzanargwo, with Prior adding the extras.

The score remained unchanged for the next 17 minutes, until Brandon Mudzekenyedzi came barging in, side-stepping a few tacklers before diving over the finishing line.

Despite looking like Namibia had given up, the Welwitschias resurfaced and fought back, bagging two tries in quick succession. First from wing Jay-Cee Nel, who sprinted towards the in-goal area after a miraculous offload from AJ Kearns; and then from an unstoppable carry done by Adriaan Booysen.

With the Sables only holding a two-point advantage, Namibia went looking for something that would put them over, but unfortunately for them, it never came. This was Zimbabwe’s third Rugby Africa Cup victory, and the first time they were able to hold the title consecutively.

Namibia must beat the UAE to keep their Men’s Rugby World Cup hopes alive; the winner advances to the World Rugby Repechage Tournament in November.