The president of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), Petrie Theron, has reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to securing a place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, following Namibia’s recent performance in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Theron reflected on the team’s journey in the continental tournament, where Namibia once again showcased their grit and determination on the African rugby stage.
“Over the past weeks, Namibia has once again stood tall on the African rugby stage, representing our nation with courage, pride and resilience during the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup,” said Theron.
Despite the Brave Warriors falling short in the final against Zimbabwe, Theron took time to commend the hard work and dedication displayed by everyone involved in the campaign.
“While we fell short in the final against Zimbabwe, I want to first acknowledge the tireless efforts of our coaching staff, support team, and above all, our players who gave their all on the field,” he stated.
Theron acknowledged the disappointment shared by the players, coaches, and supporters following the defeat but emphasised that Namibia’s quest for a World Cup berth is far from over.
“This result is naturally disappointing for us all. However, let me assure you: our journey is not over. Namibia remains firmly in the hunt for qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia,” he said.
With the Rugby Africa Cup now behind them, Namibia’s focus shifts to the upcoming Africa/Asia play-off, a crucial fixture against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) set to take place in Uganda on Saturday.
“We now turn our focus to the Africa/Asia play-off, where we will face the United Arab Emirates. The winner of this vital match will proceed to the Final Repechage Tournament to be held in Dubai from 8 to 18 November 2025,” Theron explained.
The final repechage tournament in Dubai will feature a highly competitive four-team round-robin event, with only one team advancing to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“This final repechage will feature a four-team round-robin competition, with only one team securing the last available ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup,” Theron highlighted.
The participating nations for the repechage include Brazil – third place in the 2025 South America Rugby Championship, Canada – loser of the South America/Pacific play-off, Belgium – fifth place in the 2025 Rugby Europe Men’s Championship and Namibia or UAE – winner of the Africa/Asia play-off. “The team with the highest number of competition points at the end of the round-robin stage in Dubai will secure qualification to the World Cup,” he said.
Theron stressed that the Namibian team is determined to regroup and prepare for the challenges ahead. The leadership is focused on reigniting the players’ motivation and sharpening their strategies for the final stages of qualification.
“We understand the immense responsibility that comes with this opportunity. Our players and management are fully committed to regrouping, reassessing, and reigniting our campaign. The journey to Australia is far from over – it merely enters its final and most critical chapter,” he said.
Theron also extended heartfelt gratitude to Namibian supporters, acknowledging the role of fans in keeping the team’s spirits high throughout the campaign.
“To our supporters across Namibia, thank you for standing behind your team. Your passion, belief, and encouragement remain a vital part of our mission,” he said.
He urged the nation to continue supporting the team as they prepare for the next phase of qualification.
“We ask you to continue walking with us as we prepare for what lies ahead. I have no doubt that with renewed focus and the collective support of our rugby community, Namibia can and will fight to earn our rightful place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup,” Theron added.
Strategic partnership
At the same press conference, Theron announced that there will be a collaboration with the Namibia Rugby Referees Society (NRRS) and a recognised Rugby Academy aimed at enhancing referee development and training in the country. The NRU, as the national governing body for rugby in Namibia, has officially endorsed the “Namibia Rugby Referee Academy” as a development partner. The academy will support the recruitment and training of new referees at all levels of the game.
This initiative is designed to strengthen Namibia’s rugby officiating structures in line with World Rugby standards and the NRU’s long-term growth strategy.
Key elements of the partnership include referee recruitment drive: he academy will act as a central platform to grow the pool of referees, with a special focus on youth, schools, and community rugby. Certified training programmes: The NRRS will lead the delivery of certified referee training courses, ensuring that participants gain the necessary knowledge, practical experience, and adhere to global officiating protocols.
Strategic integration: the NRU will oversee the national coordination of the programme, ensuring it aligns with both the union’s high-performance objectives and grassroots development plans.
This collaborative approach aims to secure the future of rugby officiating in Namibia while building capacity and professionalism throughout the sport.