Zim Sables qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup

It was a long time coming.

A whole generation after.

It was a long time coming. A whole generation after.
Zimbabwe's national rugby team, the Sables, yesterday qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, marking their return to the global stage after a 34-year absence.
They secured this historic spot by defeating Namibia… pic.twitter.com/igowvwtZdU

— TheNewsHawks (@NewsHawksLive) July 20, 2025

Zimbabwe’s national rugby team, the Sables, yesterday qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, marking their return to the global stage after a 34-year absence.

They secured this historic spot by defeating Namibia 30-28 in the Rugby Africa Cup final held at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, which gives them a ticket to Down Under.

Zimbabwe’s victory ends a long drought spell, with their previous appearances being in the inaugural 1987 World Cup and again in 1991.

The Sables become the second African team to qualify, joining reigning world champions South Africa who beat Georgia 55-10 last evening, after massive victories against Italy (45-24; 45-0) and the Barbarians (54-7) in recent games .

This achievement signals a new chapter for Zimbabwean rugby, showcasing the team’s qualify, and ambition despite limited infrastructure, resources and challenges in the domestic set-up due to economic problems at home.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup will feature 24 teams, with Zimbabwe’s qualification secured through winning the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup 2025.

Namibia, although defeated, still has a chance to qualify through a playoff against the United Arab Emirates, the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship runners-up.

They face next Saturday in a play-off for the right to take part in the four-team Final Qualification Tournament, which will be held in Dubai in November