Zimbabwe Qualify for 2027 Rugby World Cup After Edging Namibia

Zimbabwe have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup after defeating Namibia 30-28 in a tense Africa Cup final on Saturday.

This marks Zimbabwe’s first qualification for the global tournament since 1991 — ending a 36-year absence from the rugby showpiece.

“I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God,” she said in her Ihima hometown of Kogi on Saturday.

“I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order — it’s not an order, but it is a decision.”

Namibia, who have featured in the last seven editions of the World Cup, still have a lifeline. They will face the United Arab Emirates in a play-off ahead of final qualifiers scheduled to hold in Dubai this November.

The last time Zimbabwe made it to the tournament, they were beaten by Ireland (55–11), Scotland (51–12), and Japan (52–8). Now, after decades of waiting, they are set to make a long-awaited return to the world stage in 2027.