Zimbabwe vs. Samoa: Nations Cup Kickoff and Pool Stakes for November 7

Updated: November 05, 2026, 03:34 UTC.

Zimbabwe and Samoa are scheduled to meet in the World Rugby Nations Cup at DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield, England, on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Kickoff is listed for 3:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+00:00), the same time in UTC.

Zimbabwe is seeking its first win of the competition after three July defeats, while Samoa resumes with seven pool points from its opening three matches. The match is part of the tournament's second phase, with both sides playing opponents from the other pool.

Destaques

• Match: Zimbabwe vs. Samoa, November 7, at DIY Kitchens Stadium, Wakefield.
• Scheduled kickoff: 3:00 p.m. Wakefield GMT (UTC+00:00), or 15:00 UTC.
• World Rugby lists free live coverage on RugbyPass TV; check local availability.
• Before the November rounds, Samoa has seven pool points and Zimbabwe has two.

When and where is Zimbabwe vs. Samoa?

World Rugby's match centre confirms the November 7 fixture at DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield. The stadium host's announcement lists a 3:00 p.m. local kickoff. England is on GMT in November, so the scheduled local time is 15:00 UTC.

Zimbabwe is the designated home side, but the game is being staged in England. World Rugby says Zimbabwe's designated home matches in the November window are taking place in England and France under arrangements agreed with the unions. The location should therefore not be read as a fixture played in Zimbabwe.

Match times and ticket arrangements can change. Supporters planning to attend or follow from another time zone should check the official match centre and venue information again on game day. The listing is a scheduled kickoff, not a final result.

How can fans watch the Nations Cup game?

World Rugby's match page advertises free live coverage of Nations Cup matches on RugbyPass TV. Viewers should consult the service for their region, access requirements and any late changes. The official match centre also provides a place to follow the score and statistics once the match begins.

The stadium host has published ticket and hospitality information for the Wakefield event. Prices and availability may change as kickoff approaches, so readers considering a purchase should use the venue's current information rather than relying on an older listing.

Where do Zimbabwe and Samoa stand?

The teams are in different six-team pools. Before the November fixtures, World Rugby's table lists Samoa third in the Americas and Pacific pool with one win, two losses and seven competition points. Its 115 points scored and 90 conceded produce a plus-25 points difference across three matches.

Zimbabwe is sixth in the Europe, Asia and Africa pool after three losses. The Sables have two competition points, scored 60 and conceded 90 in those games. Those pool points include bonus points; a team's position cannot be inferred from wins alone.

The two teams are not competing for places in the same table. Their result will affect each nation's own pool standing. At the close of the competition, the side finishing first in each pool will be crowned a champion, according to World Rugby's format announcement.

What happened in the July matches?

Samoa opened with a 66–19 win over Hong Kong China, then lost 33–12 to Georgia. World Rugby's round-two review described Georgia's victory and the defensive pressure Samoa faced. Those earlier results help explain the table but do not predict the Wakefield score.

Zimbabwe lost 36–26 to Tonga and 31–15 to the United States before a 23–19 defeat to Canada, according to the tournament's results. Against the United States, Zimbabwe led 15–12 at halftime before the Eagles scored the only second-half points. The match record and schedule offer a fuller account of those games.

The close margin against Canada shows how a result can turn on individual moments, but neither that game nor Samoa's earlier victory establishes what will happen on November 7. Official matchday lineups and any late changes should be checked close to kickoff.

What comes next in November?

World Rugby scheduled 18 matches involving 12 teams from November 6 to 21. Each side faces the six teams in the other pool across the July and November windows. This format gives the teams fixtures against several opponents rather than a single knockout path.

After Wakefield, the published schedule lists Zimbabwe against Uruguay in Ealing on November 14 and against Chile in Angoulême on November 21. Samoa is scheduled to visit Portugal on November 14 and Spain on November 21. Check the official fixtures for current venues and times before making travel plans.

Frequently asked questions

What time is Zimbabwe vs. Samoa?

It is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. GMT in Wakefield on November 7, equivalent to 15:00 UTC.

Where is the rugby match being played?

DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield, England, is the listed venue.

Where can I watch it?

World Rugby lists free live coverage on RugbyPass TV. Check access and availability in your region.