RWC history
Number of tournaments: 7
Best finish: Fourth place in Pool B at RWC 1999 in Japan
Most points in a match: 26 v Uruguay at RWC 2023 in France
Biggest win: N/A
Did you know...?
Namibia have played in seven Rugby World Cups but are still yet to win a match. The closest they have ever come was a one-point (17-16) loss to Georgia at RWC 2015 in England.
Kit colour: Blue and white.
Nickname: Welwitschias
Known for: Powerful forwards who work hard to lay a foundation for their speedy outside backs.
Current form
World Ranking: 27
Form: WLWWW
Final Qualification Tournament matches
8 November: Belgium v Namibia – The Sevens Stadium, Dubai
13 November: Samoa v Namibia - The Sevens Stadium, Dubai
18 November: Namibia v Brazil - The Sevens Stadium, Dubai
How did they qualify for Dubai?
Qualified 26 July, 2025
Namibia have a proud RWC pedigree taking part in the last seven consecutive Rugby World Cups since first qualifying for Wales 1999. However chances of continuing that run hang in the balance in Dubai.
Namibia’s journey to Australia 2027 began back in July last year in the Rugby Africa Men's Cup 2024 in Kampala, Uganda which also doubled as round one of Rugby World Cup 2027 African qualification. The Welwitschias comfortably defeated Burkina Faso to qualify for the semi-finals.
But in what should have been a warning sign for Africa’s second most successful rugby nation they were comfortably beaten 32-10 in the semi-final by the eventual champions Zimbabwe.
The two nations returned to Kampala in July this year for the Rugby Africa Men's Cup 2025, where after comfortable victories for Namibia over Senegal and Algeria they this time met Zimbabwe in a winner-take-all final that would see the victor progress to Australia 2027.
It was a much tighter contest than 12 months earlier but Namibia found themselves down 30-16 to the Sables with just 20 minutes remaining. Late tries to Jay-Cee Nel and Tiaan Swanepoel saw them edge back to 30-28 but Zimbabwe held on to book their ticket to Australia.
To keep their RWC 2027 flame alive Namibia then had to remain in Kampala another week to face the second placed team from Asia qualification, the United Arab Emirates. But this time Namibia were far too strong, notching up a commanding 86-29 victory to book their place at the Final Qualification Tournament.
Head Coach: Pieter Rossouw
Springbok legend Pieter Rossouw was appointed head coach of Namibia literally just days before the squad departed for Dubai, stepping up from his position as attack coach which he only started back in September.
The 53-year-old started his coaching career at the University of Stellenbosch in 2006. After stints with the Western Province Vodacom Cup team and under-19 team in 2007, he was signed by the Blue Bulls as backline coach in February 2008. During his time at the Bulls they won the Currie Cup in 2009 and Super Rugby in 2009 and 2010.
Rossouw was part of Namibia’s coaching setup at RWC 2015 before taking up the role of Director of Rugby at his alma mater, the famous Paarl Gimnasium in Stellenbosch; a position he remained in until just two months ago before rejoining Namibia.
A tall and elusive winger in his playing days Rossouw played 43 tests for the Springboks from 1997-2003 scoring 21 tries, which sees him lie seventh on the all-time try-scoring list for South Africa.
In brief
For so long the undisputed second nation in Africa, behind the Rugby World Cup champion Springboks, Namibia have been eclipsed recently by a fast-improving Zimbabwe side, who edged them out in the final of the Rugby Africa Men's Cup 2025, sending them to Dubai.
They have also faced disruption in the coaching staff with the resignation of former player Chrysander Botha as head coach just days before the team left for the Rugby Africa Men's Cup. Jacques Burger stepped in and now Springbok great Pieter Rossouw has been brought in as head coach on the eve of the FQT.
Rossouw will call on a number of experienced players in his squad including 38-year-old prop Johannes “Aranos” Coetzee and 37-year-old hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld to try to keep the Welwitschias Rugby World Cup dream alive in Dubai.
Key player: Johan Deysel
Something of a shock recall to Pieter Rossouw’s squad, veteran centre Johan Deysel, along with centre partner JC Greyling, last played for the Welwitschias at Rugby World Cup 2023. But there can be no doubting Deysel’s experience and commitment to his country. The 34-year-old has had a distinguished club career which includes spells with the Leopards and Sharks in South Africa and from 2018-23 with US Colomiers in France. He made the first of his 32 test caps in November 2013 in their 55–35 victory over Kenya before being selected in Namibia's squad for RWC 2015. At that tournament he scored the Welwitschias' only try against New Zealand in a 58-14 loss, four years later he was named to captain for RWC 2019 in Japan. His RWC 2023 was cut short after being suspended for a dangerous tackle on France captain Antoine Dupont. Since 2024 Deysel has been back in Namibia playing for Wanderers, where he has linked up again with centre partner Greyling. Their combination in the midfield will be crucial to Namibia’s chances at the FQT.
Legend: Jacques Burger
A lion of a loose-forward Jacques Burger is renowned as one of the hardest and most courageous players to have ever played the game. Born in Windhoek, Namibia, Burger made his international debut against Zambia in 2004 at the age of just 21. He captained his nation at two Rugby World Cups – 2011 and 2015 – going on to earn 41 test caps and scoring eight tries. At RWC 2011 Burger was named as one of the five players of the tournament despite Namibia failing to win a match. Burger also excelled at club level. He played for Saracens, from 2009-16, quickly earning a reputation as one of the toughest tacklers in the English Premiership. In the 2010-11 season he was named the Saracens Player of the Year. During his time at Saracens, he won two Premiership titles in 2011 and 2015. Before joining Saracens Burger also spent time at Aurillac in France and the Blue Bulls in South Africa. He now serves as the Director of Rugby for Namibia and will be with the squad in Dubai.
Squad
Namibia’s squad boasts a very international flavour with players drawn from clubs in based in six different countries. Ten players play their rugby back him in Namibia, followed by eight playing in nearby South Africa, and other players drawn by teams based in France, Romania, Russia and USA.
If their task wasn’t already tough enough, they have also been hit by injury with Le Roux Malan being ruled out after suffering a fractured cheekbone while playing for Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand.
Cheetahs fly-half Tiaan Swanepoel is also ruled out with a groin injury, while Grenoble winger Gerswin Mouton tore knee ligaments in early September. Back row Richard Hardwick, also at Grenoble, is serving a six-game suspension while Montauban second-row Tjiuee Uanivi declined the invitation.
There are unexpected recalls for veteran backs Johan Deysel and JC Greyling, both of whom last played for the Welwitschias at the RWC 2023. Seattle Seawolves standout Divan Rossouw returns to the squad after missing the Rugby Africa Men's Cup 2025, and there are two uncapped inclusions in young props Joshua Bester and Gianluca Savoldelli from Western Province Academy in South Africa.
Forwards
Otja Auala, Joshua Bester, Adriaan Booysen, Aranos Coetzee, Armand Combrinck, Wian Conradie, Tiaan de Klerk, Prince Gaoseb, Riaan Grové, Max Katjijeko, Adriaan Ludick, Johan Luttig, Johan Retief, Gianluca Savoldelli, Haitembu Shikufa, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld
Backs
Danco Burger, Johan Deysel, JG Greyling, AJ Kearns, TC Kisting, Cliven Loubser, Jürgen Meyer, Aston Mukwiilongo, Jay-Cee Nel, Divan Rossouw, Jacques Theron, André van der Berg, Danie van der Merwe
They say
“Play as a team, fight for each other, and win or lose when you walk off that pitch you know you've given your absolute best. Don't stand back for anyone.” – Jacques Burger, Namibia rugby legend and current Director of Rugby.
