Record Champions Kenya and Namibia Chase History in U20 Barthes Trophy Final After Recording Semi-Final Wins

Defending champions Namibia edged Tunisia 11-6, while Kenya defeated Zimbabwe 35-23 to book a place in Tuesday's final, with both sides chasing a record fourth U20 Barthes Trophy title and qualification for the World Rugby Junior Trophy. (Copyright free images, fixtures and streaming information below)

KAMPALA, Uganda –Three-time winners Namibia and Kenya will clash in the final of the 2026 Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy on Tuesday, with both teams targeting a fourth record title and qualification for the World Rugby Junior Trophy.

Defending champions Namibia edged out Tunisia 11-6 in the first semi-final of the Performance Division before last year's runners-up Kenya overpowered Zimbabwe 35-23 to set up a tantalising finale between the two most successful teams in Africa's premier youth rugby competition.

Five-try Kenya turned on the style from the beginning to pull away from an error-prone Zimbabwe side that was heavily punished for unforced mistakes and a failure to finish off chances.

Kenya led 23-6 at the break through tries by winger Brian Kiptanui and inside centre Rayvon Amunga, as well as the accuracy of fullback Faran Juma with the kicking tee. Zimbabwe flyhalf Connor Lovatt kept the Zimbabweans in the game with two penalties of his own.

Zimbabwe looked like a rejuvenated side in the early stages of the second half, reducing the arrears with a well-worked try by eighth-man Vimbiso Kasvosve from a rolling maul.

But the Kenyans soon regrouped and regained the upper hand. Their place in the final was assured by tries from scrumhalf Michael Andale, hooker Jibril Lugonzo and outside centre Dennis Livoi.

A last-minute try by centre Michael Chimedza came too late for Zimbabwe, coming on the last play of the match.

Earlier in the day, a second-half try and drop goal by substitutes Nzola Nkunku and Mc-Rein Van Wyk, respectively, saw Namibia shrug off a stern challenge from a Tunisian side that led 6-0 at half-time and looked on course for an upset over the defending champions.

Both teams did not play an expansive game in the first half, keeping the ball among the forwards in a closely fought contest under difficult, humid conditions at Muteesa II Stadium in Kampala.

The Tunisian forward pack was more dominant in the half, laying the platform for the North Africans early on and forcing Namibia into infringements. But for all their dominance, Tunisia led by just six points at the break, courtesy of penalties by scrumhalf Mohamed Afli.

Van Wyk brought Namibia back into the game with a penalty early in the second half before fellow replacement Nkunku dashed through out wide to score the only try of the game. The audacious drop goal by the impressive Van Wyk then sealed the match to give the Junior Welwitschias a crack at a record fourth title.

Performance Division

• Namibia
• Zimbabwe
• Kenya
• Tunisia

First Division

• Zambia
• Uganda

Friday 7 August 2026 (EAT)

• 10:00 - Namibia(11) vs Tunisia (6) (Performance Division)
• 13:00 - Kenya (35) vs Zimbabwe (23) (Performance Division)
• 16:00 - Zambia vs Uganda (First Division)

Tuesday 11 August 2026 (EAT)

• 10:00 - Zambia vs Uganda (First Division)
• 12:00 - Tunisia vs Zimbabwe (Performance Division)
• 15:00 - Namibia vs Kenya (Performance Division) (Winner of Tournament)

Saturday 15 August 2026 (EAT)

• 16:00 - Uganda vs Zimbabwe (Test Match)