Zimbabwe’s national rugby team, the Sables, ended a 32-year World Cup drought with a dramatic 30-28 victory over Namibia in Saturday’s Africa Cup final, securing a historic berth for the 2027 tournament in Australia. The triumph marks their first qualification since 1991 and positions them as just the second African squad, alongside reigning champion South Africa, to claim a spot in the expanded 24-team competition.
The match unfolded as a nail-biting contest, with Zimbabwe holding a commanding 30-16 lead with 20 minutes remaining. Namibia, a seven-time World Cup participant, staged a late comeback with two tries, narrowing the gap to two points. A potential game-winning penalty from halfway by Namibia in the dying moments fell short, sealing Zimbabwe’s emotional victory. The win was only their fourth against Namibia in 35 meetings, underscoring the scale of the upset.
As Africa Cup runners-up, Namibia remains in contention for a World Cup spot and will participate in intercontinental playoffs. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, advances to face Asia’s second-place finisher, the United Arab Emirates, in a one-off qualifier next Saturday in Uganda. The winner of that match will progress to the final global qualification tournament, where one last ticket to the 2027 event will be awarded.
The Sables’ achievement also etches their name in regional rugby history as the third African team to reach the World Cup in the professional era, following South Africa and Namibia. Their qualification signals a potential shift in the continent’s rugby hierarchy, long dominated by their southern African rivals. Namibia had appeared in every World Cup since 1999 but now faces an uncertain path to extend that streak.
World Rugby’s expansion of the tournament from 20 to 24 teams opened new opportunities for emerging nations, a factor Zimbabwe leveraged under intense pressure. The match’s tense finale — including Namibia’s missed penalty — highlighted the high stakes for both teams, with Zimbabwe’s players and supporters erupting in celebration as the final whistle confirmed their return to rugby’s premier stage.
The victory carries broader significance for Zimbabwean sport, offering a rare moment of international triumph amid the country’s prolonged economic and political challenges. For Namibia, the loss breaks a 22-year regional stranglehold on World Cup qualifications but keeps their hopes alive through the repechage pathway.
Attention now shifts to Kampala, where Zimbabwe will seek to solidify their World Cup credentials against a UAE side aiming for its first-ever tournament appearance. Regardless of that outcome, the Sables’ dramatic win has already rekindled national pride and reshaped African rugby’s competitive landscape.
