The scenic Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala is abuzz with anticipation as Africa’s top rugby nations gather for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup,a tournament that not only crowns the continent’s best but also serves as the qualification pathway to the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The top eight rugby 15s nations; Uganda, Namibia, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and defending champions Zimbabwe have settled into the Ugandan capital Kampala with their sights set on rugby’s grandest stage. This year’s edition, running from July 8 to 19 at the Mandela National Stadium, will determine Africa’s sole representative at the World Cup and also the team to qualify for the second tier of the Nations Cup.
The stakes are particularly high in this edition, as 2025 marks the first time in Men’s Rugby World Cup history that all participating nations will be confirmed by year-end, well ahead of the tournament draw. World Rugby Rankings will guide team seedings for that draw.
Day one of the tournament lived up to expectations.
Zimbabwe overwhelmed Morocco 43-8, Algeria dispatched Côte d’Ivoire 41-6, and Namibia crushed Senegal 57-17. But it was the Kenya-Uganda clash that delivered the fiercest contest of the round. Kenya edged past the hosts 32-24 in a hard-fought encounter, silencing the home crowd and securing a place in the semifinals.
With the quarterfinals concluded, the tournament now shifts into high gear. Zimbabwe will face Kenya in what promises to be a pulsating semifinal, while Namibia take on Algeria on the other side of the draw.
For Hosts Uganda, Morocco Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire, the journey ends here.
