- Final Game: Uganda 63-07 Zimbabwe
In a commanding performance that echoed across African rugby circles, Uganda’s Lady Cranes roared past Zimbabwe with a 63–7 victory, sealing their place in the elite tier of the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup on Saturday evening.
It was a fitting finale for a Ugandan team that came to San-Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire with a mission and executed it to perfection. Across three match days in the Rugby Africa Women’s Division One tournament, the Lady Cranes remained unbeaten, dispatching Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire and ultimately Zimbabwe with a blend of physical dominance and tactical precision.
But Saturday’s final fixture was the crown jewel. From the first whistle in the bustling port city of San-Pedro, Uganda’s forwards set the tone. They bulldozed their way through the gain line, creating space for their backline to dazzle. The result was a lopsided affair that underlined not just Uganda’s supremacy in the tournament but also their growing maturity on the continental stage.
While the Lady Cranes flourished, it was a different story for the hosts. Côte d’Ivoire ended their campaign with a 34–0 loss to Tunisia earlier in the day, capping a tough tournament at home. But for Uganda, the only story was one of dominance and determination.
With this win, the Lady Cranes ascend to the premier division of African women’s rugby, joining continental powerhouses South Africa, Kenya, and Madagascar. Interestingly, all four teams also topped the Women’s Sevens tournament in Accra, Ghana, last November, a testament to their well-rounded prowess across both the 15s and 7s formats.
For the Lady Cranes, this moment marks more than just a promotion. It’s a return to the upper echelons of African rugby.
