Namibia and Zimbabwe have laid their cards on the table ahead of the 2025 men’s Rugby Africa Cup Final.
The two Southern African giants will face off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 at the Mandela National Stadium Namboole. In addition to the continental title, a ticket to the Rugby World Cup is up for grabs for the eventual champions.
Both teams have not tweaked much in their squads from previous matches. Key change for the Welwitschias is the inclusion of Jay-Cee Nel at the wing while for the Sables, it is Dylan Utete on the second row.
Namibia Wilwetschias Squad vs Zimbabwe in the 2025 men’s Rugby Africa Cup Final:
Starting: 1 Otja Auala, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 4 Adriaan Ludick, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 6 Prince Gaoseb (captain), 7 Wian Conradie, 8 Richard Hardwick, 9 Jacques Theron, 10 Andre van der Berg, 11 Jurgen Meyer, 12 Danco Burger (vice-captain), 13 Le Roux Malan, 14 Jay-Cee Nel, 15 Cliven Loubser.
Substitutes: 16 Armand Combrinck, 17 Jason Benade, 18 Haitembu Shikufa, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Max Katjijeko, 21 Andrew AJ Kearns, 22 Tiaan Swanepoel, 23 Adriaan Booysen.
Zimbabwe Sables Squad vs Namibia in the 2025 men’s Rugby Africa Cup Final:
Starting: 1 Victor Mupunga, 2 Simba Mandioma, 3 Cleopas Kundiona, 4 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 5 Simbarashe Siraha, 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 7 Dylan Utete, 8 Jason Fraser, 9 Hilton Mudariki (captain), 10 Ian Prior, 11 Edward Sigauke, 12 Kudzai Mashawi, 13 Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, 14 Matthew McNab, 15 Tapiwa Mafura.
Substitutes: 16 Liam Larkan, 17 Tyran Fagan, 18 Bornwell Gwinji, 19 Tadiwa Gwashu, 20 Aidan Burnett, 21 Keegan Joubert, 22 Dion Khumalo, 23 Bruce Houston.
Paul Mente, from South Africa, has been appointed as the center referee for this final.
What the coaches said:
In addition to tactics and squad compositions, the two head coaches, during their pre-match interviews on Friday, spoke of how much it means for their respective countries to be in this historic final.
Namibia’s Jacques Burger said, “if we can get this Rugby World Cup qualification and be crowned as African champs, it would mean the world for everybody back home.”
Zimbabwe’s Pieter Benade said, “The main thing was restoring national pride actually. Making people proud of their national team is the goal of every coach. The boys want our citizens to be proud of us.”
Path to the Final:
1. Quarterfinals:
• Zimbabwe 43-08 Morocco
• Namibia 55-17 Senegal
2. Semifinals:
• Zimbabwe 29-23 Kenya
• Namibia 21-07 Algeria
The win predictor by Isa Metrics, the leading rugby statistician in the country, has given Zimbabwe a 54.2% chance of being champions against Namibia (45.8%).
However, recent form aside, Zimbabwe are the challenger in this tie. They have won two Rugby Africa Cup titles (2012 and 2024) and have appeared at the Rugby World Cup twice (1987 and 1991).
History backs Namibia as the dominant force on the continent. They have won nine Rugby Africa Cup titles (2002, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022) and have represented Africa at the Rugby World Cup for seven consecutive times since 1999.
Meeting History:
• Played: 34 tests (since March 21, 1990)
• Win Record: Namibia – 31, Zimbabwe – 3
• Last RAC Meeting: Zimbabwe 32-10 Namibia (semifinal on July 24, 2024)
This final has the making of a historic encounter which will excite world rugby.
NBS Sport will broadcast the final, and all other placement matches, from 10 am until the awards ceremony is concluded.
