Namibia Clinches 2025 Barthes Rugby Trophy; Junior Sables Fall to Kenya
Namibia has won the 2025 Barthes Rugby Trophy, defeating Tunisia 81-7, marking their return after a six-year hiatus. They finished the tournament unbeaten, sharing the record of three titles with Kenya. Zimbabwe’s Junior Sables lost to Kenya, placing third overall.
Namibia has proudly claimed the title of 2025 Barthes Rugby Trophy champions, triumphing over Tunisia with a dominating score of 81-7 at Old Hararians this past Sunday. This victory marks the end of a six-year title drought for the Welwitchias, who last lifted the trophy in 2018. Notably, Namibia joins Kenya as the only two nations to have secured the trophy thrice since its inception.
Throughout the tournament, Namibia maintained an unbeaten record, commencing their campaign with a strong 41-22 victory against the host nation, Zimbabwe. They continued their winning streak with a solid performance against Kenya, winning 32-22 just last Wednesday. On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s men’s Under 20 team faced a disappointing result despite their home advantage, losing narrowly to Kenya with a score of 20-21. This defeat left the Junior Sables finishing in third place overall.
The Junior Sables, under the leadership of Shaun De Souza, struggled in their recent matches, securing only one victory against Tunisia, whom they defeated decisively 78-21. The expectations were not met as the team fought hard but ultimately fell short. Therefore, the final standings of the 2025 Barthes Trophy concluded as follows: 1. Namibia, 2. Kenya, 3. Zimbabwe, and 4. Tunisia.
In summary, Namibia emerged victorious in the 2025 Barthes Rugby Trophy, boasting an undefeated record and successfully ending a six-year title drought. The Junior Sables’ performance fell short of expectations, leading to a disappointing third-place finish after a close loss to Kenya. The tournament highlights the competitive nature of African rugby, with Namibia and Kenya continuing to stand out as dominant forces.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
