Namibia won the 2025 Barthes Rugby Trophy, defeating Tunisia 81-7, marking their first title since 2018. They completed an unbeaten campaign, while Zimbabwe’s Junior Sables stumbled, finishing third after a narrow loss to Kenya. Final standings: 1. Namibia, 2. Kenya, 3. Zimbabwe, 4. Tunisia.
Namibia emerged victorious in the 2025 Barthes Rugby Trophy, securing their title by defeating Tunisia decisively with a score of 81-7 at Old Hararians on Sunday. This victory marked a significant moment for Namibia as they ended a six-year championship drought, having last secured the trophy in 2018. Notably, Namibia’s triumph matched Kenya’s impressive record, as both nations have now claimed the trophy three times in total.
Throughout the tournament, Namibia demonstrated impressive form, remaining unbeaten. Their campaign kicked off with a strong performance against hosts Zimbabwe, winning 41-22, followed by a 32-22 victory over Kenya earlier last week. Meanwhile, in a disappointing turn of events, Zimbabwe’s Under 20 team, known as the Junior Sables, were unable to secure a win against Kenya, despite playing on home soil. They lost a closely contested match, finishing with a score of 20-21.
This loss placed the Junior Sables in third place overall, while Kenya claimed the second position. Led by coach Shaun De Souza, Zimbabwe struggled in this tournament, managing just one victory against Tunisia, whom they defeated 78-21 last Wednesday.
The final standings of the 2025 Barthes Trophy are as follows: 1. Namibia, 2. Kenya, 3. Zimbabwe, and 4. Tunisia. The results indicate a tough competition but ultimately highlight Namibia’s return to the top of the podium.
In conclusion, Namibia’s impressive victory in the 2025 Barthes Rugby Trophy not only highlights their dominance in the tournament but also marks an end of a lengthy drought since their last title. Zimbabwe’s Junior Sables, unfortunately, fell short despite the home advantage, securing only third place in the tournament standings. Kenya’s consistent performance also deserves acknowledgment as they continue to be formidable competitors in the championship.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
