Namibia Set for High-Stakes Africa-Asia Play-off Against UAE in Kampala

KAMPALA, Uganda — Fresh off the action-packed conclusion of the Rugby Africa Cup (RAC) hosted in Uganda, international rugby’s focus now shifts to a crucial Africa-Asia play-off repechage match, with Namibia facing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. The stakes are immense: the winner will claim the final direct qualification spot for the much-anticipated Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.

Road to the Play-off: Namibia’s Rugby Pedigree Namibia, long regarded as one of Africa’s rugby powerhouses, finished as first runners-up after falling to a resurgent Zimbabwe Sables squad in the RAC final. With Zimbabwe clinching the direct African qualification, Namibia’s long-standing streak of Rugby World Cup appearances now hinges on this vital match. Having featured in every World Cup since their debut in 1999, the Namibian Welwitschias have established a reputation for grit and consistency, even as they continue to pursue their first World Cup win at the tournament itself.

UAE’s Historic Opportunity For the UAE, this play-off marks a major milestone. Emerging as the runner-up from the fiercely contested Asia Rugby Championship, the Emirati squad has reached the World Cup qualifying repechage for the first time in their history. Their recent performances, especially a string of hard-fought victories against regional rivals, have boosted confidence within their camp—and signaled a rising force in Asian rugby.

The High-Stakes Clash: Namboole Sets the Stage Scheduled at Namboole National Stadium—Uganda’s iconic rugby venue—the play-off adds an extra layer of drama, as rugby supporters across Africa and Asia turn their attention to Kampala. The match follows weeks of excitement and high attendance during the RAC, so another vibrant crowd can be expected for this winner-takes-all contest.

Fixture: Namibia vs UAE

Venue: Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), Kampala, Uganda

Stakes: Winner qualifies directly for the Rugby World Cup 2027 (Australia)

What’s at Stake For Namibia: Continuation of their World Cup legacy and the chance to represent Africa on rugby’s biggest stage for an eighth consecutive tournament.

For UAE: The possibility of making history with their maiden World Cup qualification, boosting both the profile and development of rugby within the country.

Both teams know that the path to Australia only stays open for the victor. The defeated side will see their hopes for 2027 come to an end, with no further repechage opportunity in this qualification cycle.

Recent Form and Key Players Namibia enters the tie on the back of a strong yet heartbreaking RAC campaign. Despite missing automatic qualification by the narrowest of margins, the Welwitschias bring a wealth of World Cup experience and several high-caliber professionals.

The UAE, meanwhile, have demonstrated a rapid rise in the Asian rugby hierarchy, combining physicality with tactical discipline. Their advancement to this stage speaks to growing investment in the sport and the emergence of homegrown and expat rugby talent.

Path to Rugby World Cup 2027 The match in Kampala is an integral part of the expanded and recalibrated global qualification system for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. With 24 teams competing in Australia, World Rugby has allotted one direct African spot, one direct Asian spot, and a single Africa-Asia play-off berth. The winner of the play-off in Uganda will join nations from around the globe in what promises to be the largest Rugby World Cup yet.

Anticipation and Outlook Supporters and pundits expect an intense, tactical, and hard-fought encounter at Namboole. Namibia’s experience and history in high-pressure qualifiers meets the UAE’s hunger and historic expectations, making this match one of the most anticipated in this qualification cycle. For the victor, the dream of rugby’s grandest stage—Australia 2027—becomes a reality.

As the rugby world watches, Namboole once again takes center stage, highlighting the sport’s expanding footprint and the evolving competitive landscape across Africa and Asia.

All scheduling and participation details current as of July 22, 2025.