Jake White's first Fiji Test in Tokyo, and the Africa Cup final rematch in Harare

Two men's Tests tonight, with no New Zealand team involved but plenty to watch: Japan and Fiji meet in Tokyo in the first Test of Jake White's time in charge of Fiji, and Zimbabwe host Namibia in Harare, a year after the game that sent Zimbabwe to their first World Cup in 34 years.

Japan v Fiji, Tokyo (tonight 6.50pm NZT)

This is half of a centenary double-header for the Japan Rugby Football Union, at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, with Japan in a commemorative jersey and the women's side playing Wales afterwards. The last time these teams met, at the same ground in September, Japan won the Pacific Nations Cup final 20-15, their first final win over Fiji at the third attempt after losing in 2024 and 2025. Only 0.47 ranking points separate them: Fiji are ninth in the world, Japan tenth.

It is the first Test for Jake White, the former Springbok coach, as Fiji's head coach, against Eddie Jones's Japan. White has named four uncapped players, wing Nacani Boginisoko and flanker Aporosa Vuniyayawa in the starting side and Peni Naruma and Kavekini Boselawa on the bench. Hooker Tevita Ikanivere captains, and several of the Fijian Drua players who featured in this year's Super Rugby Pacific are in the side, among them locks Mesake Vocevoce and Isoa Nasilasila, No 8 Motikiai Murray, first five-eighth Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and second five-eighth Isikeli Rabitu. Veteran Ben Volavola and halfback Frank Lomani are on the bench.

Japan welcome back lock Warner Dearns, who co-captains with halfback Naoto Saito, and have three uncapped replacements: Sanshiro Kihara, Ruan Botha and Chisu Lee. Georgia's Nika Amashukeli referees.

Japan: Takuro Matsunaga, Kazuma Ueda, Samisoni Tua, Charlie Lawrence, Inoke Burua, Ryunosuke Ito, Naoto Saito (co-captain), Faulua Makisi, Kanji Shimokawa, Ben Gunter, Warner Dearns (co-captain), Jack Cornelsen, Keijiro Tamefusa, Mamoru Harada, Yota Kamimori. Replacements: Kenji Sato, Sojiro Otsuka, Sanshiro Kihara, Ruan Botha, Michael Stolberg, Esei Haangana, Shinobu Fujiwara, Chisu Lee.

Fiji: Issac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Nacani Boginisoko, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Isikeli Rabitu, Joji Nasova, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Terio Tamani, Motikiai Murray, Kitione Salawa, Aporosa Vuniyayawa, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Inoke Ravuiwasa, Tevita Ikanivere (captain), Peni Ravai. Replacements: Kavais Tagivetaua, Meli Tuni, Mesake Doge, Vilive Miramira, Peni Naruma, Frank Lomani, Ben Volavola, Kavekini Boselawa.

Both teams then head into November Tests. Fiji play France, Ireland and Italy.

Zimbabwe v Namibia, Harare (Sunday 2am NZT)

This is a stand-alone Test, not a qualifier, at the newly refurbished National Sports Stadium. The history makes it more than that. In July 2025 Zimbabwe beat Namibia 30-28 in the Rugby Africa Cup final to take the continent's direct place at the 2027 World Cup, their first since 1991. Namibia, who had played at every World Cup since 1999, went to the final qualification tournament in Dubai and were knocked out by Belgium. So Zimbabwe are building towards Australia next year, and Namibia are rebuilding.

The Sables, coached by Pieter Benade, are captained by halfback Hilton Mudariki, with No 8 Aiden Burnett his vice-captain; prop Ishmael Bara could debut off the bench. Namibia's team had not been published when we went to press.

Zimbabwe: Tapiwa Mafura, Darrel Makwasha, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Kudzai Mashawi, Trevor Gurwe, David Hayes, Hilton Mudariki (captain), Aiden Burnett, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Dylan Utete, Godwin Mangenje, Gary Porter, Munashe Mhere, Liam Larkan, Deanne Makoni. Replacements: Matthew Mandioma, Ishmael Bara, Emmanuel Gabi, Daniel Cooke, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Vuyani Dhlomo, Keegan Joubert, Dion Khumalo.

We will add both results once the games are played.