In an effort to provide local players a platform to prepare for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers, MTC and the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) have joined forces to launch a new regional 15s tournament.

The newly-formed tournament will feature four teams, with approximately 200 local players engaging in non-stop action between February and March. To support this initiative, telecommunications giant MTC has invested a total of N$700 000.

The tournament underscores a commitment to developing and increasing the competitiveness of the game, while providing an opportunity to prepare for the road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Speaking at an event held at MTC headquarters in Olympia yesterday, NRU vice president Christian Windvogel said: “The Namibia Rugby Union is proud and excited to have MTC as the official sponsor for the Senior Men’s Regional 15s Competition. This collaboration underscores MTC’s unwavering commitment to the growth and development of rugby in Namibia.”

He added: “The highly-anticipated senior men’s regional 15s competition is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, 22 February 2025, with additional fixtures set for 1 March and 8 March 2025. The tournament will showcase the best of Namibian rugby talent, featuring three senior regional teams ,alongside a fourth team comprising Under-20 players, offering a unique blend of experience and youth in every match.” MTC chief human capital, marketing and corporate affairs officer Tim Ekandjo expressed excitement about the partnership, hoping it would provide a great opportunity for players to test themselves.

“We thank the leadership of the Namibia Rugby Union for granting us the opportunity to contribute to the growth of rugby as a sport. Our philosophy at MTC is one of nurturing sport towards development,” he said.

“NRU and rugby have consistently shown resilience and determination over the years by qualifying for consecutive World Cup appearances. As a national entity, our moral fibre inclined us to naturally support the NRU in their cause of developing rugby and placing Namibia on the world map, as they have consistently done in the past,” he added.

This competition will serve as a crucial preparatory platform for Namibia’s participation in the Africa Cup Rugby World Cup Qualifiers, set to take place in Uganda in July 2025. The competition not only aims to strengthen the depth of talent within the senior men’s and U20 squads, but also fosters regional pride and unity, while reinforcing Namibia’s rugby pathway development, Windvogel noted.

The matches will be played across key venues, with full details of the schedules and locations to be announced soon. Fans are encouraged to come out in support of their regional teams and the young talent that represents the future of Namibian rugby.