Zimbabwe Reach First Rugby World Cup Since 1991

Zimbabwe person qualified for nan Rugby World Cup for nan first clip since 1991 aft beating Namibia 30-28 successful nan Rugby Africa Cup last successful Kampala.

It intends they will beryllium among 24 teams astatine nan 2027 World Cup successful Australia.

They will beryllium making their 3rd quality astatine nan tournament, having besides been invited to correspond Africa astatine nan inaugural World Cup successful 1987.

The Sables went into Saturday's last arsenic Rugby Africa Cup holders, having defeated Namibia successful past year's semi-finals.

It was 16-16 astatine half-time, but Godfrey Muzanargwo and Brandon Mudzekenyedzi appeared to person put Zimbabwe firmly successful power pinch tries early successful nan 2nd period.

Jay-Cee Nel and Adriaan Booysen past crossed nan statement for a Namibia squad coached by erstwhile Saracens backmost statement Jacques Burger, making it a two-point crippled pinch 10 minutes remaining.

However, Burger's broadside could not find nan important people needed to overturn nan deficit, seeing substitute Tiaan Swanepoel occurrence a punishment from wrong his ain half wide of nan posts successful nan 79th minute.

The consequence brings to an extremity an era of power for nan Welwitschias, who had reached nan past 7 Rugby World Cups, pinch Ivory Coast nan only different African federation to travel done nan continent's qualifiers successful 1995.

While Zimbabwe person now confirmed their spot alongside holders South Africa, Namibia do still person a chance of reaching nan recently expanded World Cup.

They look nan United Arab Emirates, runners-up astatine nan Asia Rugby Men's Championship, adjacent Saturday successful a play-off for nan correct to return portion successful nan four-team Final Qualification Tournament, which will beryllium held successful Dubai successful November.