By Michael Uugwanga

THE country’s men senior rugby side, nicknamed the Welwitschias will be in action against Zimbabwe this Saturday, in the final of the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup. The winner will automatically qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The Welwitschias have never missed a World Cup campaign since making its debut at the global showpiece in 1999. This is a record that the side wants to keep when they face Zimbabwe, which itself is looking at making a big return to the World Cup since 1991. 
The Rugby Africa Cup final will be staged at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda. 
Zimbabwe might go into the final as the underdog, however they are expected to go into the match with confidence having beaten Namibia in the cup last year. 
 

Namibia beat Algeria 21-7 in their semi-finals, while Zimbabwe reached the final after beating Kenya 29-23.
Vice-captain of the Namibian team, Danco Burger says he is aware of the threat the Sables of Zimbabwe posses, after alluding to some few mistakes the team did against Algeria.
Namibia has won the Rugby Africa Cup a record nine times to Zimbabwe’s two title wins.
There is no much to separate the two countries in the rugby world ranking, with Namibia in the 25th place to Zimbabwe’s 26th position.
 

Few years ago Namibia was in the top 21 but their rankings dropped due to a lack of international matches.
Speaking after the victory over Algeria, Burger is reminded his team not to take Zimbabwe lightly when the two neighbours meet in the winners-takes-all match.
 

“We spoke about the Algerian intensity and  the physicality they will bring in the backline and they did that couple of times.  There are still few things we need to sort out in our attack and defence system before we take on Zimbabwe in the final. to ask [the entire nation] to rally behind the boys once again,” said Burger.