Tough battle for Sables

The Zimbabwean Sables have failed to automatically qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals, despite their 28-10 win over Kenya. But they still have another chance to make it to England.

Instead, it is Namibia who once again snatched the honour to represent the continent, after they finished top of the four-team qualifying group ahead of Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the hosts Madagascar, who did not win a single match.

Although Namibia have qualified for the global rugby festival, Zimbabwe are still not out, as they will play Russia in the play-offs, for another opportunity to make it to the World Cup finals, having failed to do so since 1991.

Needing to win their final match against Madagascar by 53 points, Namibia, who represented Africa at the 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cup finals, produced an inspired performance to run out 89-10 winners to claim both the Africa Cup and a place alongside New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Georgia in Pool C at England 2015.

At the beginning of a gripping day, the Namibians were outside hopefuls at best, but Zimbabwe’s 28-10 win against Kenya, that denied the Kenyans a bonus point, while failing to secure them a bonus point of their own, left the door ajar for the seasoned Rugby World Cup campaigners.

Zimbabwe and Kenya endured a torrid 80 minutes watching from the stands while the destiny of the Cup and the qualification place was played out in front of them as the Namibians put on the afterburners in a thrilling match.

Leading 63-10 at the interval, the Namibians played with ambition, width and pace and despite a late Madagascar fight-back, they secured an emphatic victory and qualification on a remarkable day.

As the dust settled in Antananarivo, Zimbabwe emerged as the team who will progress to the Repechage where they will play Russia for a place in the Repechage Final.

The results also broke Kenyan hearts. Kenya looked certain to progress at least to the Repechage at the beginning of the day, having defeated Namibia earlier in the round-robin competition, but were left to rue what might have been.

The president of the Confederation of African Rugby congratulated Namibia and pointed to the strides African nations were making on the world stage.

“We have witnessed one of the most compelling, and certainly the most dramatic African Cups of recent times, which really does underscore the continued progress that our Unions are making,” said Aziz.

Post published in: Rugby

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