Overview

• Zimbabwe edged Namibia 30-28 in the Rugby Africa Cup final in Kampala to claim the continent’s only automatic qualification spot for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
• The Sables’ victory marks Zimbabwe’s third World Cup appearance after competing only in the inaugural 1987 and 1991 tournaments.
• Namibia’s narrow defeat represented only its fourth loss to Zimbabwe in 35 meetings and hands the Welwitschias a play-off against the United Arab Emirates later this year.
• The expanded 24-team Rugby World Cup grants one direct African berth via the Africa Cup champion and allocates further places through intercontinental play-offs.
• Close matches throughout the Africa Cup underscored the rising competitiveness and growing depth of rugby talent across the continent.