Zimbabwe has done it
Champions of Africa once again; Undefeated in two consecutive tournaments. And a spot at the world table.
Zimbabwe has conquered Africa once again
A battle well fought by Namibia but Zimbabwe came out victorious pic.twitter.com/ziSzbvus8f

— Rugby Afrique (@RugbyAfrique) July 19, 2025

Zimbabwe will take up the berth reserved for the continental competition winner in Australia in 2027 while Namibia will get a second chance to compete at the World Cup through play-offs later this year.

pic.twitter.com/Ha7r0DFOfJ

— Zimbabwe Sables (@SablesRugbyZW) July 19, 2025

Namibia have qualified for the last seven World Cups but it will be only a third appearance for Zimbabwe, who competed at the first two tournaments in 1987 and 1991.

The two teams were tied 16-16 at halftime but two quick tries after the break saw Zimbabwe go 30-16 ahead, only for Namibia to claw their way to a two-point deficit before missing a long-range penalty in the last minute that would have won the game.

2027 Rugby World Cup Draw

The draw for the pool stage of the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia will take place next December, World Rugby confirmed.

The tournament will feature 24 teams, rather than 20 as was the case since the 1999 World Cup, divided into six pools of four teams.

Perth will host the opening match and Sydney the final in the event from 1 October to 13 November, 2027.

The final qualifying tournament takes place in Dubai from 8 to 18 November.

Sixteen teams have qualified so far – two-time defending champions South Africa, France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, Japan, Georgia, Spain, Portugal, and Romania.

The post Zimbabwe qualify for Rugby World Cup after 34 years appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Organised by the African Union (AU) with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC), the African Games are Africa’s biggest multi-disciplinary sporting event geared towards advancing top-class African sports and fostering cultural exchanges between the member states of the African Union.

The games will see some five thousand elite athletes, three thousand experienced officials, and thousands of fans in the country, in addition to an estimated global audience of 2.2 billion people watching through traditional and social media.

The addition of Rugby Sevens not only showcases the diversity of sports across Africa but reflects the organisation’s dedication to sports representation, the increase of regional participation, and sports development.

Rugby Sevens, a variation of rugby union, features teams comprised of seven players engaging in seven-minute halves, diverging from the traditional format of 15 players per side and 40-minute halves. The governance of Rugby Sevens falls under World Rugby, the global authority for rugby unions.

“I stand with great pride as rugby takes its rightful place within the African Games for the very first time. This marks a historic moment for our sport and for the continent as a whole. My heartfelt congratulations go out to Ghana and my President Nana Akufo-Addo for their exceptional work in preparing to host this esteemed event,” stated Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa. “The African Games serve as a testament to our continent’s commitment to sports. It’s a platform where our athletes can shine, our nations can unite, and our shared passion for the game can be celebrated on a grand scale.”

Rugby Africa President, Herbert Mensah, remains dedicated to fostering the growth and development of rugby across the African continent. Since his election, President Mensah has been a vocal advocate for an increase in competitions across the continent, which will provide opportunities for the youth to develop their athletic talent.

Ghana, a founding member of the African Games, is hosting the Olympic event for the first time, with 5000 elite athletes from over 54 African countries competing in 25 diverse sports codes, including swimming, cricket, football, volleyball, and many more. With the inclusion of rugby Sevens in the line-up, the African Games promise to deliver unmatched excitement.

The post Accra 2023: African Games get a boost with Rugby Sevens’ long-awaited arrival appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

The tournament, scheduled for October 18-19 at CMS Grammar School, Bariga, will feature fifteen schools competing in the U18 and U15 age categories, with both boys’ and girls’ teams participating.

The LRSA, in partnership with Ibudó Rugby Association, is organizing the Governor’s Cup to foster teamwork and sportsmanship among secondary school students. The tournament is also seen as a vital component of the LRSA’s rugby development plan for schools in the state.

In a press release made available to Made In Africa Sport, the Chairman of the Lagos State Rugby Association, Hon. Olarinde Williams, emphasized that the tournament is a vital component of the rugby development plan within schools in the state.

“The Lagos State Rugby Association in collaboration with Ibudó Rugby Association are proud to present the inaugural inter-schools Rugby 7’s tournament,” Hon. Williams said. “This competition is as a direct result of our strategy to develop and expand the sport of rugby in schools across the state’s five divisions.”

“This tournament provides an excellent platform for the schools that have already benefited from our program to showcase their progress and inspire more schools to join in.

“We extend our gratitude to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and support for sports development in the state,” Hon. Williams continued.

“We also appreciate and commend the efforts and support of the Lagos State Sports Commission, including its Chairman, Director General, Director of Schools Sports, and Director of Sports Development, our sponsors The Rotary Club, Lekki Golden and Poscari Isotonic, as well as many others who have contributed significantly to make this inaugural competition a reality.

“We have high hopes that this tournament will be a resounding success, contributing significantly to the growth of rugby in Lagos State,” he concluded.

The Governor’s Cup is expected to be a major event for rugby in Lagos State and could help raise the sport’s profile among young people. It is also a chance for schools to showcase their rugby talents and compete for top honours.

According to Michael Ogunbiyi, Chairman of the Ibudó Rugby Association, “Ibudó Rugby Association is delighted to be leading the charge in the development of rugby in Lagos. We are pleased to have initiated this partnership with LASG, with our coaches actively engaged in mentoring kids. Prior to this, we’ve organized two sets of exhibition tournaments in 7-a-sides, but this marks the first full-contact competition.”

“The Ibudó Rugby Association takes great pride in spearheading the development of rugby in Lagos, thanks to its collaboration with the Lagos State Rugby Association. With a commitment to developing the game of rugby in schools, Ibudó and the State Rugby Association coaches now visit 15–20 schools every week, a number that continues to grow.”

Expressing optimism about the future, he added, “With adequate funding for rugby in Lagos from the state, I believe the state and indeed Nigeria can thrive as a rugby nation. This would enable Ibudó and Team Lagos to concentrate on nurturing young talents, producing elite players for the nation.”

The post Lagos State schools set to battle for Governor’s Cup Rugby 7s title appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.