Day of Reckoning for Namibia

It’s the big one tomorrow when Namibia takes on Zimbabwe in the Rugby Africa Cup final in Kampala, with a place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup on the line. 

The loser will still have an outside chance of reaching the World Cup via an inter-continental repechage tournament, but that route could be much tougher, and a win tomorrow will be crucial if Namibia hopes to extend its proud record at the World Cup.

Since 1999, Namibia has qualified for the quadrennial World Cup without fail and is now aiming to qualify for their eighth successive appearanceat the global showpiece. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has qualified only twice – in 1987 and 1991 – and since then has often lost out to Namibia in subsequent Africa Cup finals.

Last year, though, Zimbabwe sounded a warning when they won the Africa Cup for the first time in 12 years after a comprehensive 32-10 victory against Namibia in the final. It was their first victory against Namibia in 21 years and only their fourth victory in 34 matches against their old rivals.

Players like scrumhalf and captain Hilton Mudariki, centre Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, left wing Edward Sigauke, and flyhalf Ian Prior, who previously played for the Australian side Western Force in the Super Rugby competition, all played important roles in that victory, and they have once again been instrumental in this year’s campaign.

Amongst the forwards, they have a solid pack, including an experienced loose trio of No. 8 Jason Fraser, who plays for French club Nevers, Godfrey Muzanargwo, who plays for Griquas, and Tinotenda Mavesere, who plays for the Sharks.

In the quarterfinals, Zimbabwe comfortably beat Morocco 43-8, but they were pushed all the way by Kenya in last Sunday’s semifinal, overcoming an 18-13 deficit at halftime to win the match 29-23. Namibia got off to a solid start with a 55-17 win against Senegal but faced a tougher challenge from Algeria in the semifinals before winning that match 21-7.

Since then, they have been hard at work preparing for the final, and the team has also been strengthened by several newcomers. 

Wian Conradie and Le Roux Malan joined them for the Algeria clash after helping the New England Free Jacks win the USA Major League Rugby title for the third year in a row, while the Pumas pair of lock Tiaan de Klerk and utility back JC Nel joined them this week ahead of the Zimbabwe match.

With experienced professionals like Aranos Coetzee, Torsten van Jaarveld, Louis van der Westhuizen, Richard Hardwick, Johan Retief, Andre van der Berg and Tiaan Swanepoel alsoin the ranks, they now have a strong squad at their disposal.

Namibia coach Jacques Burger said they are well prepared for the final, although lock forward Oliver Kurz is not available due to injury.

“Unfortunately, Oliver Kurz got hurt in training, so he won’t be available this weekend. However, we have reinforcements, Tiaan de Klerk and JC Nel, who came in from the Pumas, and they bring a lot of value—experience is very important in a final and how you make use of your opportunities.

“We’ve worked hard and there is a good atmosphere in the camp. It has been a tough few months, but we feel that we are in a good place to compete and give our best version of ourselves this weekend against Zimbabwe.

“We know what they will bring, and it will be a tough match, but we will go out and give our absolute best to make our country proud. All Namibians—the whole country—has been supporting us, and we appreciate the support we have received so far,” he added.

The final is scheduled to start at 15:00 Namibian time at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala tomorrow afternoon and will be preceded by the third-place playoff between Kenya and Algeria, the fifth-place playoff between Morocco and Senegal, and the seventh place playoff between the Ivory Coast and Uganda.

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