The road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia officially begins today in Kampala, where eight of Africa’s strongest rugby nations clash in the high-stakes Rugby Africa Men’s Cup. Hosted at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, from 8 to 19 July, the tournament will not only crown the continent’s top team but also determine who claims Africa’s sole direct ticket to the global showpiece.
Defending champions Zimbabwe headline the competition, joined by former powerhouses Namibia and Kenya, regional rivals Uganda, and ambitious sides from Algeria, Morocco, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.
Zimbabwe, who ended Namibia’s six-year reign with a dominant 29–3 win over Algeria last year, return with high expectations and a target on their backs. Led by experienced scrum-half Hilton Mudariki, the Sables open their title defence against Morocco in the tournament’s curtain-raiser.
For Morocco, the match marks a return to top-tier African rugby after a seven-year absence. Skipper Adil Achahbar acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed quiet confidence. “Zimbabwe is a tough opener, but we’re prepared,” he said.
The second clash of the day sees Algeria take on Ivory Coast. Algeria, who shocked many by reaching the final in 2024, are aiming to go one better this year. Captain Marvyn Youcef emphasised the importance of composure under pressure. “We’ve learned a lot. Now it’s about staying calm in critical moments,” he said.
Ivory Coast come in as underdogs, ranked 58th globally, but their captain Élias Coulibaly believes they have turned a corner. “We’re not the same team you saw last year. People will be surprised,” he warned.
Namibia, a consistent force in African rugby and regular World Cup participants, face Senegal in the third game of the day. The Namibians are under new leadership following the sudden departure of head coach Chrysander Botha, with former star Jacques Burger now at the helm and flanker Prince Gaoseb wearing the captain’s armband.
“It’s a stronger field this year, which is great for African rugby. We’ve worked on being sharper and more clinical,” said Gaoseb.
Senegal, meanwhile, are eager to prove they belong at this level. Captain Demba Kane is embracing the challenge. “Namibia set the standard. We’re here to see how far we’ve come,” he said.
The headline clash of Match Day 1 features an explosive Elgon Cup showdown between hosts Uganda and fierce rivals Kenya—arguably Africa’s most intense rugby rivalry. The match is expected to draw a passionate crowd as both teams look to make a statement early in the competition.
Uganda captain Byron Oketayot is counting on home support to lift the Cranes. “There’s no better motivation than playing in front of our fans,” he said. “We’re ready to put it all on the line.”
Kenya, captained by George Nyambua, arrive battle-hardened from a month-long tour of South Africa. After falling short in last year’s qualifiers, they are determined not to repeat past mistakes. “This isn’t just another tournament—it’s a World Cup qualifier. We’re here with purpose,” said Nyambua.
All matches will be broadcast live on NBS Sport and streamed globally via RugbyPass TV and the Rugby Africa Facebook page, bringing Africa’s rugby drama to fans across the world.
Match Day 1 – Tuesday, 8 July (All times EAT)
- 10:00 – Zimbabwe vs Morocco
- 12:00 – Algeria vs Ivory Coast
- 14:00 – Namibia vs Senegal
- 16:00 – Uganda vs Kenya
