Kampala, Uganda | The Sables find themselves and a whole nation at the cusp of African history as they face Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup final at 16:00hrs (EAT) at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Nambole, Kampala on Saturday the 19th of July.
After 34 long years, Zimbabwe’s senior men’s rugby team, the Sables, find themselves one game away from a return to the Rugby World Cup.
Standing between them and the dream is a familiar titan of African rugby—Namibia, unbeaten in World Cup qualification for three decades.
But this is not a side gripped by fear. This is a composed and committed Sables outfit, one that has treated every moment of the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup with the gravity of a final.
Tomorrow’s decider in Kampala is no different.
“Namibia are a very tough opponent, and history shows that they have had it over Zimbabwe,” said Head Coach Pieter Benade following the captain’s run in Munyonyo.
“It is entirely up to us to step up and challenge a team that has been to the World Cup. They haven’t lost in a World Cup qualifier in thirty years—and it’s our job tomorrow to take that away from them,” he added.
The Sables are riding high after a controlled and passionate performance against Kenya in the semi-final.
Coach Benade has opted for consistency, naming nearly the same starting XV that triumphed over the Simbas last week, with just one enforced change: lock Kudakwashe ‘Goofy’ Nyakufaringwa has been ruled out after sustaining an injury in the semi-final.
Flanker Dylan Utete, who impressed in the previous Africa Cup clash against Namibia, steps into the side. His inclusion sees Godfrey Muzanargwo shift into the second row.
Captain Hilton Mudariki, speaking after the team’s final run-out, underlined the team’s unity and focus:
“Captain’s run went really well—in fact, the whole week has gone really well. We’ve focused on ourselves, our minds, our bodies, and making sure we are in the right headspace.”
“We know that Namibia is a quality side, but we’ve always said from the start of the tournament that we will treat each game as a final.”
Mudariki also paid tribute to the fans rallying behind the team:
“The fans have been great—we are nothing without them. The way they are behind us is just amazing. We can feel them from home and from all parts of the world.”
