THE time for talk is over and battle lines have been drawn in the sand. Zimbabwe and Namibia will today face-off in arguably their most important game in the last decade or so as the two nations slug it out in the Rugby Africa Cup final at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala this afternoon. With a golden ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup on offer to the winners and a tougher route for the runners up, the stakes couldn’t be bigger. For the Sables, they stand on the cusp of something profound as a win today will etch these players in the history books. Victory will also end of a 34-year wait to grace the rugby’s biggest tournament and only the second time Zimbabwe actually qualify for the quadrennial event. Zimbabwe have appeared at two Rugby World Cups — in 1987 and 1991. In 1987, Zimbabwe were the only African nation invited to compete as South Africa had been disqualified from the tournament due to a sporting boycott adopted by the international community in response to apartheid. Four years later, Zimbabwe succeeded in getting through qualifying with victory over Tunisia sending them through. 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 Zimbabwe side gripped by fear. Instead, they are a composed and committed Sables outfit, one that has treated every moment of the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup with the gravity of a final. And today’s decider in Kampala will be no different. “Namibia are a very tough opponent, and history shows that they have had it over Zimbabwe,” said Sables coach Pieter Benade following the captain’s run in Munyonyo yesterday. “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 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 15 that triumphed over the Simbas last weekend, 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. “The captain’s run went really well—in fact, the whole week has gone really well. “We have 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 have 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.” Namibia have kept a tight lid on their preparations been suspiciously quiet over the last several days, hardly giving out interviews or addressing the media. However, they are viewing today’s match with the same level of importance as ticket to the World Cup and decades of tradition are at stake. “Yeah, I think the excitement is there,” Namibia skipper Prince Goaseb told Rugby Africa. “We had a very good week of preparations and we very much looking forward to the final. “I think, physically, we are ready,” he said. On the importance of the win, Goaseb added; “it’s the legacy. “Back home, People are looking out for us to win this again and then qualify for the World Cup. “We are not looking to disappoint them. “But again, it’s a team that shows up on a day that wins and we have got to be hungry and stay hungry. “People are expecting us to qualify and we are not looking to let them down. “It’s a legacy, the younger generation is looking up to us and we have to lead the pathway for them. “We are taking it upon our shoulders,” he said. His sentiments were echoed by centre Jay-cee Nel, who stressed on the importance of the match and a win too. “The main thing stays the main thing and that is to qualify for the World Cup,” said Nel, who plies his trade in South Africa with the Griquas in the Currie Cup. “It’s a privilege to play in the World Cup, it doesn’t matter which team you play for. “Just to be there and to represent your country in the World Cup is a massive honour. “It’s difficult not to think about it, we want to qualify for the 8th World Cup. “It’s obviously a tradition for Namibia to qualify every single four years for the World Cup,” he said. — Zimpapers Sports Hub/ ZRU Media