The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) has officially confirmed its final 30-man squad for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup repechage qualification tournament, scheduled to take place in Dubai from 8 to 18 November 2025. The announcement, made on Tuesday, reflects Namibia’s strategic commitment to both continuity and competitiveness on the international rugby stage.
Trimmed from an initial group of 36 players, the final squad comprises 17 forwards and 13 backs, accompanied by a 12-member technical and support team. This delegation will represent Namibia in the concluding phase of global qualification, a pivotal round-robin tournament that will determine the final team to join the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, which for the first time will feature an expanded format with 24 participating nations.
The Namibian team will contest the repechage alongside Belgium, Samoa, and Brazil. The inclusion of Brazil follows the recent withdrawal of Paraguay, a change confirmed by World Rugby earlier this week. Only one of the four teams will secure qualification, making this tournament a defining moment for all participants.
In a statement issued by the NRU, the Union remarked:
“Our Namibia Rugby Union squad and management are all set to take on the final qualification tournament in Dubai. Pride, passion, and purpose — this team is ready to fly the Namibian flag high.”
Namibia’s journey in rugby union has often been emblematic of both the challenges and aspirations faced by emerging rugby nations in the Global South. Having qualified for every Rugby World Cup since 1999, Namibia remains one of the few African nations consistently represented on rugby’s global stage, second only to South Africa in this regard. Yet, the team continues to face resource, structural and logistical constraints that mirror broader continental challenges.
While discussions of rugby development frequently centre on traditional powerhouses in Europe and Oceania, the Namibian case reflects the multi-dimensional landscape of African rugby—where growth, resilience, and ambition often intersect. Namibia’s participation in these qualifiers is more than a pursuit of a tournament berth; it is an affirmation of the region’s evolving sporting identity and a reaffirmation of Africa’s rightful presence in global sporting narratives.
The upcoming tournament in Dubai is not merely a contest of skill, but a critical barometer of institutional preparation, player development pathways, and broader continental integration in global sport. Namibia will need to confront sides like Samoa—a Pacific Island nation with a rich rugby tradition—as well as European representatives Belgium, and Brazil from South America, whose rugby programme has expanded significantly over the past decade.
The 2027 Rugby World Cup, to be hosted in Australia, will be the first to feature 24 teams, offering an expanded platform for emerging nations. More on the 2027 Rugby World Cup format.
This expanded global tournament marks a shift in rugby’s institutional architecture, providing greater access to non-traditional rugby nations. For Namibia and the African continent at large, this evolution presents both an opportunity and a challenge—to not merely participate, but to redefine narratives of African rugby agency and excellence.
As the countdown to Dubai continues, Namibia’s final squad represents more than selected athletes—it embodies a collective aspiration. One rooted in national pride, regional solidarity, and the enduring African pursuit of parity and presence in global sport.
