End of an Era: Namibia Fails to Qualify for Men’s Rugby World Cup

After 28 years of World Cup participation, Namibia will not feature in RWC 2027, with South Africa and Zimbabwe set to represent Africa.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Yesterday, a remarkable era in African rugby has come to an end. When the next Men’s Rugby World Cup begins in September 2027, it will be the first time in 28 years that the tournament will not feature Namibia.

While Namibia defeated Brazil 40–31 on the final day of the qualification tournament in Dubai on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, the Welwitschias had already failed to secure their place following earlier defeats to Belgium and eventual qualifiers Samoa in the four-team intercontinental contest.

Namibia faced the tougher task of reaching their eighth consecutive Men’s World Cup via the intercontinental play-offs, having failed to qualify directly from Africa after their narrow 30–28 defeat to rivals Zimbabwe in July’s Rugby Africa Cup final in Uganda.

This is something the Welwitschias had managed comfortably since their first World Cup appearance in 1999.

The opportunity to play in the final qualification tournament in Dubai – to claim the 24th and final spot for the 2027 edition in Australia – meant that Africa could, for the first time in tournament history, have three representatives.

But it was not to be. Southern African neighbours South Africa and returning Zimbabwe will be Africa’s representatives Down Under.

Four-time world champions South Africa will be gunning for the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time in succession, while Zimbabwe will be making their first World Cup appearance in 36 years. The Sables last qualified in 1991, marking the longest gap between World Cup appearances for any team.

For Namibia, the final qualification competition in Dubai proved more daunting than the direct African route they had previously dominated for decades.

Last week, the Welwitschias first lost to Belgium 22–15 before being defeated 26–8 by tournament champions Samoa. The Pacific Islanders qualified after a nail-biting 13–13 draw that saw them edge Belgium by a single point in the decider on Tuesday.

The Welwitschias will now return to the drawing board, hoping to come back stronger in future qualification campaigns.

In their previous World Cup appearances – 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 – Namibia has yet to win a match. Their closest opportunity came against Georgia at the 2015 edition in England, narrowly losing 17–16.

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Match Day 1: Saturday 8 November 2025 (Local Dubai Time) (GMT+4)

17:00 – Samoa (48) v Brazil (10)
19:30 – Belgium (22) v Namibia (15)
 

Match Day 2: Thursday 13 November 2025 (Local Dubai Time) (GMT+4)

17:00 – Belgium (30) v Brazil (27)
19:30 – Samoa (26) v Namibia (8)
 

Match Day 3: Tuesday 18 November 2025 (Local Dubai Time) (GMT+4)

17:00 – Namibia (40) v Brazil (31)
19:30 – Samoa (13) v Belgium (13)

Written by Enock Muchinjo