The Mandela National Stadium will come alive with Rugby Africa Cup action at 13h00 on Sunday, as Namibia locks horns with Algeria in a much-anticipated semi-final clash.

Namibia stormed into the semis after a dominant 55-17 win over Senegal, with standout performances from Johan Retief, Jurgen Meyer, man-of-the-match Andre van der Berg, Arman Combrinck, Andrew Kearns, and Adriaan Booysen.

Their opponents, Algeria, earned their spot with an equally impressive 41-6 thrashing of Côte d’Ivoire.

Reflecting on the quarter-final, Namibia’s director of rugby, Jacques Burger, acknowledged Senegal’s strength. “It was a tough challenge against a quality team. We scrummed well and stuck to the game plan despite many stoppages. Our second-half performance was much better, but we made too many unforced errors. Against Algeria, we must be sharper and more disciplined,” he said.

Team captain Prins !Gaoseb added: “We had a good match, although the hot weather wasn’t too great. But now it’s back to the drawing board to prepare for Algeria.”

In the other semi-final, Zimbabwe will take on Kenya. Zimbabwe advanced with a convincing 43-8 win over Morocco, while Kenya edged Uganda 32-24.

Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire will play Senegal, and Morocco face Uganda in placement matches.

The 2025 Rugby Africa Cup features eight of the continent’s best teams – Uganda, Namibia, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and reigning champions Zimbabwe – battling it out in a knockout format for Africa’s spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The winner also secures qualification to the second division of the Nations Cup.

For the first time in Rugby World Cup history, all qualifying nations will be confirmed by the end of 2025, with World Rugby Rankings determining the seedings for the tournament draw. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na