Namibia reach the World Cup for a fifth time

Namibia have reached the World Cup for a fifth time in a row, but only narrowly with a trickier route through the African qualifiers than they would have hoped for.

Namibia's qualification carries a fair bit of resentment from some rugby fans, thanks to never having got close to winning a World Cup game and whilst being a very mini South Africa and the fact they've now qualified 5 times means they lack the novelty, romance and charm to the neutral of Kenya and Madagascar. However none of that is really their fault with some neutrals celebrating any misfortune against African opposition for the underdog/charm/novelty factors, and their misfortune of a rotten World Cup schedule last time was rarely remarked upon by those who were against an African team competing at all at the tournament.

Namibia's World Cup record

Namibia also have a habit of putting those who wish them not to qualify through agony in the manner they have qualified for World Cups.

They have lost matches in qualifying before with points difference through their wins being far bigger margins get them through, and it was the same this time.

Over the course of their World Cup qualification campaign, they handicapped themselves a lot. First they were relegated for failing turning up to a tournament, meaning despite being the winners of the 2011 qualification they had to start in a lower division. Which they then sent a understrength team to and sneaked past Senegal, then blew a big lead against Madagascar and lost in extra time in an incredible game.

After rectifying their errors the following year with comfortable wins, they entered the final 4 qualification system this year and looked to be strong favourites. However they stumbled in a surprise 29-22 defeat to Kenya, and many got their hopes up of the Kenyans qualifying.

History suggested it wouldn't be so simple though, as Namibia have consistently managed to do just enough to through, and it was the same this time.

Namibia fought hard to battle through to a narrow win over Zimbabwe, then Kenya's inability to even get a bonus point in a 28-10 defeat to the Sable allowed an 89-10 blowout against Madagascar (who conceded 180 points in 3 games) secured the Namibian their place on points difference.

It could have very easily been different. If Kenyan fly half Lavin Asego had got a couple of rather routine penalties he missed in the opening game to deny Namibia a losing bonus point, or Zimbabwe scored an extra try in the last 12 minutes they had to do so, then the Zimbabweans would have returned to the tournament for the first time in 24 years. If Kenya had got a losing bonus point, then they would have been through.

(Video: The miss that would have put Zimbabwe into the World Cup)

Despite the disappointment of many at Kenya now being knocked out altogether (Zimbabwe will head to the repechage playoffs where they face Russia), ultimately even though they beat Namibia, they were not ready for the World Cup. Both the sides with more South African influence, Namibia and Zimbabwe, are currently in a better position to withstand a 4 match World Cup campaign.

Kenya may have improved, but their set piece wasn't too stable and some of the tries their defence looked passive in conceding a few of their tries. Also their depth didn't look too special in the midweek game against Madagascar and they fell away to lose by a margin in their final match.

None of the sides are likely to be the first African side to win a World Cup game next year, but you sense that the massacre that Kenya would have suffered against the All Blacks would have been the biggest, and that playing Tonga and Argentina with short rests would have been the toughest for them as would coming up against a powerful Georgian unit. They would have been squashed in each game, and once the novelty of a new side in tournament died down a great coup to the argument that a stronger South American side should get their place.

Jacques Burger is in line to play
his 3rd World Cup tournament
where he will have plenty of tackling
to do facing the All Blacks.

Both Namibia and Zimbabwe on the otherhand are more physical, and they may not have shown they were massively better than Kenya here they are probably the best prepared of the sides to go to a World Cup. Especially with potential further additions from South Africa who might put their hand up for a World Cup appearance, and Namibia of course have their talismanic tackling machine Jacques Burger to return for the tournament.

The Kenyans playing Vodacom Cup rugby and their professional presence on the Sevens circuit appear to be a good thing for them. Perhaps with a few more years there they will be more ready to make some progress, but for Namibia remain the top African side.

It has to be said though, sneaking yourself through on points difference in African qualifying does not hint on any substantial improvements for Namibia compared to where they were in 2007 or 2011. The Welwitschias have not played any top 20 ranked sides since the last World Cup so it's hard to judge where exactly they stand relative to other World Cup competitors at the minute, but the small evidence there is suggests Uruguay are probably the better side at the minute.