Reigning champions France launched their Six Nations title defence with an emphatic win over Ireland, fellow contenders England were far too strong for a woeful Wales and Italy maintained their progress with a deserved defeat of Scotland. …
Three things we learned from the Six NationsNamibia Minute.
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Place
England
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- February 2026
… New Zealand’s previous best chase in the T20 World Cup was their 167 against England in the 2021 semi-final. …
Seifert powers New Zealand to their record T20 World Cup chaseEngland clung on to beat Nepal by four runs in a last-ball thriller in Mumbai on Sunday and avoid one of the biggest upsets in the history of the T20 World Cup. …
England avoid seismic shock by beating Nepal in last ball thrillerHenry Arundell marked his return to England’s starting side with a first-half hat-trick of tries as Steve Borthwick’s men launched their bid for the Six Nations title with a 48-7 rout of an outclassed Wales at Twickenham on Saturday. …
Arundell hat trick inspires England thrashing of Wales in Six Nations openerA staggering century from 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fired India to ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup glory as they overcame England by 100 runs in the final. …
Sooryavanshi fires India to ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup glory… England’s presence makes the group the only one to feature two two-time champions and they will be out to make history in the sub-continent as, alongside India and West Indies, they go in search of an unprecedented third title. …
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Group C preview… They last progressed from the first round in 2022, in a tournament in which they handed eventual champions England their only defeat. …
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Group B previewEngland under-19 captain Thomas Rew is determined to treat the ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 final as ‘just another game’ as his side take on India in Harare. …
Rew and Mhatre look ahead to ICC u19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 Final… Former champions Australia and England are also strong contenders to lift the trophy and deny holders India the title for a record second straight time. …
India favourites as T20 World Cup to begin after chaotic build up… Wayne Madsen will lead a side that includes JJ Smuts who was capped 19 times by South Africa, with Italy placed in Group C alongside England, Nepal, Scotland and West Indies. …
Associate Nations ready to showcase talent at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Sport
World Cup football differs fundamentally from elite club competition
The News
The article examines how international football differs from club football, citing the absence of a transfer market and the pragmatic constraints on national team coaches who must work with available players and fewer high-profile matches.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 19 May
World Cup football differs fundamentally from elite club competition
The article examines how international football differs from club football, citing the absence of a transfer market and the pragmatic constraints on national team coaches who must work with available players and fewer high-profile matches.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 18 May
David Beckham becomes Britain's first billionaire sportsman
Former Manchester United and England star David Beckham and his wife Victoria have a combined wealth of approximately £1.185 billion, making him Britain's first billionaire sportsman according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List. Beckham, a co-owner of Inter Miami and brand ambassador for major companies, ranks second among UK's wealthiest sportspeople, behind Bernie Ecclestone's family.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Aaron Rai wins PGA Championship, first English champion in 107 years
Englishman Aaron Rai won his first major title at the PGA Championship with a five-under-par 65 in the final round, defeating Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley by three strokes. The 31-year-old claimed a record top prize of $3.69 million and became the first English winner of the PGA since Jim Barnes in 1919.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Sunday 10 May
2026 World Cup faces ticket prices, political tensions
The one-month countdown to the 2026 Fifa World Cup begins Monday with a record 48 teams descending on the United States, Canada and Mexico, though soaring ticket prices, political tensions, and conflict in Iran have cast an early shadow over the tournament.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 5 May
China's Wu Yize wins World Snooker Championship, beats Murphy 18-17
Wu Yize, 22, won the World Snooker Championship for the first time with a dramatic 18-17 victory over Shaun Murphy at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, becoming the second Chinese player to win the title.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 27 April
Kane's team-first approach driving Bayern toward Champions League final
Harry Kane has been instrumental in Bayern Munich's pursuit of the Champions League title, combining back-to-back Bundesliga wins with crucial goals in knockout stages, including strikes against Real Madrid. Kane, who has 53 goals in 45 games this season, faces holders Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final with the first leg in Paris on Tuesday, with the final in Budapest in May.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 17 April
Rugby league surpassing union in New Zealand among Pacific fans
All Blacks great Michael Jones told AFP that rugby union in New Zealand is losing the battle for "hearts and minds" to rugby league, particularly among Pacific islanders, citing league's stronger engagement with Pacific communities and more flexible eligibility rules compared to union's "archaic" three-year stand-down period.
17 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 15 April
Namibia U-17 women face Kenya in World Cup qualifier
Namibia's under-17 women's football team travels to Kenya to play the second leg of a FIFA Under-17 World Cup qualifier, needing to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit. Coach Woody Jacobs expressed optimism despite the challenge, noting that Namibia's second-half performance in the first leg showed they can compete with Kenya.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 6 April
Iran war pushing UK funeral costs above inflation rate
Rising global gas prices stemming from the Middle East conflict are driving up funeral costs in Britain, particularly cremations which rely heavily on gas, with average funeral costs rising 1.3% since January—outpacing the 0.1% monthly inflation rate and the 3% annual inflation rate.
6 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 1 April
Japan beat England 1-0 in historic Wembley friendly
Japan secured their first-ever victory over England with a 1-0 win at Wembley on Tuesday, with Kaoru Mitoma scoring in the 23rd minute of the World Cup warm-up friendly. The result highlighted Japan's emergence as a competitive force ahead of the upcoming World Cup, while England's performance raised fresh doubts about their squad depth ahead of the tournament.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 30 March
Amnesty warns 2026 World Cup risks becoming stage for repression
Amnesty International released a report calling on FIFA and the US, Canada and Mexico to protect fans and communities during the 2026 World Cup, warning that conditions in the host nations—particularly the US under the Trump administration—contrast sharply with FIFA's promise of safety and freedom, with concerns about ICE operations, travel bans for fans from certain nations, and risks to LGBTQ+ supporters.
30 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Sunday 29 March
Japan beats Scotland 1-0 in World Cup warm-up friendly
Japan won 1-0 against Scotland at Hampden Park through a late goal by Junya Ito, extending Scotland's streak without a home friendly victory to 10 years. The match served as preparation for both teams ahead of their World Cup campaigns.
29 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 28 March
Netherlands defeats Norway 2-1, ends 13-match unbeaten streak
The Netherlands beat Norway 2-1 in a friendly in Amsterdam on Friday, halting Norway's 13-match unbeaten run. Norway, who topped their World Cup qualifying group with 37 goals, rested key players including Erling Haaland for the match.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa draws 1-1 with Panama in World Cup warm-up
South Africa fullback Khuliso Mudau was involved in both goals—first giving away a penalty-area pass that led to Panama's opening goal, then heading in the equaliser—as South Africa drew 1-1 with Panama in a warm-up match in Durban ahead of their 2026 World Cup campaign. Coach Hugo Broos praised his team's attacking chances but criticised defensive lapses that nearly cost them the match.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 27 March
Germany emphasise team unity ahead of World Cup campaign
Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann says the team's collective strength rather than individual talent will be key to their World Cup prospects, with a squad built on form and cohesion rather than reputation. Captain Joshua Kimmich and midfielder Kai Havertz highlighted how Bayern Munich's seven representatives bring "automatisms" and team spirit crucial to tournament success.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
IOC reintroduces gender testing despite scientific and ethical concerns
The International Olympic Committee has announced the reintroduction of gender testing through SRY gene screening, last used in 1996, to protect female competition categories. The move raises practical, legal, ethical and scientific questions, with critics including the scientist who discovered the SRY gene arguing the approach is overly simplistic and lacks scientific consensus linking the test to sporting performance, while affected athletes report severe personal and financial consequences.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 21 March
Man United draws with Bournemouth in dramatic penalty-filled Premier League match
Manchester United drew 2-2 at Bournemouth on Friday after twice blowing the lead, with Harry Maguire sent off late for a foul in the box. United remain third in the Premier League with a seven-point advantage over sixth-placed Chelsea.
21 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuchel names England squad ahead of World Cup selection
England manager Thomas Tuchel announced a 35-man squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, calling the matches the "last opportunity for players to compete for their ticket" to the World Cup in June. Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo return after recent good form, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw, and Ollie Watkins are notably absent.
21 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 17 March
Six Nations defence concerns overshadow attacking brilliance
The 2024 Six Nations saw record attacking success with 211 tries scored, but also a record 211 tries conceded, prompting champion France and other teams to reassess their defensive weaknesses ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Ireland proved the exception, conceding the fewest points and tries, while most teams prioritized attacking performance despite the defensive vulnerabilities exposed by the tournament.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Sunday 15 March
France win Six Nations with dramatic late penalty over England
France retained the Six Nations title with a 48-46 victory over England, decided by a Thomas Ramos penalty kick after the final whistle. Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored four tries in a 13-try thriller in which the lead changed hands repeatedly.
15 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Wales ends three-year Six Nations drought with Italy rout
Wales defeated Italy 31-17 in Cardiff on Saturday to end a 15-match losing streak in the Six Nations, with the Welsh dominant in the first half, scoring four tries for a 31-0 lead before Italy rallied late in the match.
15 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Ireland defeats Scotland 43-21, keeps Six Nations title hopes
Ireland beat Scotland 43-21 at Lansdowne Road on Saturday to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive and win the Triple Crown for the fourth time in five years. The victory, featuring six tries from the Irish, extended their winning streak against Scotland to 12 games and left them three points ahead of France in the title race.
15 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 14 March
France seek Six Nations title in England finale
France's reigning Six Nations champions remain in pole position to retain the title despite losing their Grand Slam hopes to Scotland, with head coach Fabien Galthie saying a bonus-point victory over England on Saturday would almost certainly secure the championship.
14 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 12 March
Scotland eyes Six Nations title with Ireland showdown
Scotland can win the Six Nations championship for the first time in the era if they beat Ireland on Saturday and France lose to England. Back-row forward Rory Darge said the team is prepared for the pressure, though Scotland have not won in Dublin since 2010.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 11 March
Namibian author Marisa Kelly launches second short-story collection
Windhoekers celebrated the book launch of Marisa 'Mel' Kelly's second book, 'The Limbo Circus & Other Short Stories', published by Modjaji Books. The nine-story collection draws on Kelly's travels through southern Africa and personal experiences, including work at London Zoo and as a veterinary nurse.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 9 March
Six Nations rugby: key lessons from weekend
Scotland defeated France 50-40 in a high-scoring match, while Italy beat England for the first time in 32 attempts and Ireland struggled past Wales. Even top players like France captain Antoine Dupont can have an off-day, England coach Steve Borthwick faces mounting pressure after three consecutive defeats, and Ireland must improve their discipline ahead of facing Scotland.
9 March 2026 · The Namibian →
India wins third T20 World Cup title, defeats New Zealand
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup final at home, with Sanju Samson scoring 89 and Jasprit Bumrah taking 4-15 to secure a dominant victory. India became the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title and to win it on home soil.
9 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Sunday 8 March
India face New Zealand in T20 World Cup final Sunday
India play defending their T20 World Cup title against New Zealand on Sunday in Ahmedabad, seeking to become the first team to win the trophy three times and the first to lift it on home soil. New Zealand reached the final by defeating South Africa in the semi-final and face an India team burdened by the expectations of 1.4 billion fans.
8 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Italy defeats England for first time in Six Nations rugby
Italy secured a historic 23-18 victory over England in the Six Nations, winning against them for the first time in 33 attempts. Tries from Tommaso Menoncello and Leonardo Marin, plus 13 points from fly-half Paolo Garbski, lifted Italy above England in the tournament table.
8 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Scotland beats France 50-40, revives Six Nations title hopes
Scotland's 50-40 home victory over France with seven tries has kept the Six Nations title race alive ahead of the final day, with France and Scotland now level on 16 points. France can secure back-to-back titles if they match Scotland's result in their respective final matches against England and Ireland.
8 March 2026 · The Namibian →