Tinotenda Hove – The Zimbabwe Sables stand on the brink of a historic achievement as they face off against regional rivals Namibia in the final of the Rugby Africa Cup at the Mandela National Stadium this afternoon.

At stake is far more than continental glory — the winner of today’s showdown will earn automatic qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, a dream the Sables have long pursued.

The high-stakes encounter means heartbreak for the loser, who will have to take a longer and more grueling path via the Africa/Asia play-off. Success there would only grant them access to the Repechage tournament — the final qualification opportunity — set for November 8 to 18 in the United Arab Emirates.

The Repechage will feature four teams battling it out in a round-robin format, with the highest-scoring side securing the last remaining ticket to Australia 2027.

With their sights firmly set on history, the Sables know a win today could write a golden chapter in Zimbabwean rugby.