Namibia out to defend African title

Namibia will continue their Rugby Africa Cup title defence this week and you can find out whether the Welwitschias can win the tournament for a seventh successive time live and for free with RugbyPass TV.

The Welwitschias booked their place in the semi-finals with a six-try 38-5 defeat of Burkina Faso in Kampala last Saturday.

Despite the scoreline, Namibia were made to work hard for their win and didn’t breach the opposition line until the 33rd minute when Quirione Majiedt notched the first of his two tries.

Brodie Retallick opens up on Walk the Talk | Trailer | RPTV

All Blacks and lineout king Brodie Retallick opens up to Jim Hamilton in the latest episode of Walk the Talk. Full episode available now exclusively to RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Brodie Retallick opens up on Walk the Talk | Trailer | RPTV

All Blacks and lineout king Brodie Retallick opens up to Jim Hamilton in the latest episode of Walk the Talk. Full episode available now exclusively to RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Even then it took until well into the second half for Namibia to pull away from Burkina Faso and their reward for victory is a semi-final against Zimbabwe.

The Sables held off a second-half fightback from Uganda last weekend, holding on to beat the hosts 22-20 in Kampala and secure their passage to the last four.

Wednesday’s semi-final is a repeat of the teams’ meeting at the same stage in Aix-en-Provence in 2022, the last time the Rugby Africa Cup was staged.

Namibia

Zimbabwe

Namibia won that match 34-19 en route to the title and qualification to Rugby World Cup 2023, and the Welwitschias have history on their side. They haven’t lost to Zimbabwe in their previous 13 meetings, dating back to 2001.

Whoever comes out on top in the latest chapter of their shared rivalry will play either Kenya or Algeria in Sunday’s final in Kampala.

In a mirror of the other 2022 semi-final, Algeria will hope to avenge their narrow 36-33 defeat to the Simbas in Marseille two years ago.

Algeria full-back Julien Caminati kicked 17 points last Saturday as Algeria booked their place in the last four with a 32-12 victory against Ivory Coast.