Zimbabwe reach first Rugby World Cup since 1991

After defeating Namibia 30-28 in the final of the Rugby Africa Cup in Kampala, Zimbabwe qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1991.

They will also be a part of the 24 other teams competing in Australia’s 2027 World Cup.

They were also given the opportunity to represent Africa at the first World Cup in 1987, making their third appearance at the event.

After defeating Namibia in the semi-finals of last year, the Sables qualified for the Rugby Africa Cup final on Saturday.

At half-time, it was 16-16, but tries from Brandon Mudzekenyedzi and Godfrey Muzanargwo appeared to have put Zimbabwe firmly in control.

With 10 minutes left, Jacques Burger, a former Saracens back row, and Jay-Cee Nel and Adriaan Booysen crossed the line to coach a Namibia team, which finished the match with a score of two points.

In the 79th minute, substitute Tiaan Swanepoel fired a penalty from inside his own half wide of the posts, but Burger’s side were unable to find the crucial score needed to reduce the deficit.

The Welwitschias, who had won the previous seven Rugby World Cups, are now at their most dominant, with Ivory Coast the only other African country to have qualified for the continent’s qualifiers in 1995.

Namibia still have a chance to win the newly expanded World Cup, despite Zimbabwe having now confirmed their position alongside South Africa’s current champions.