The Rugby Cranes are staying in Africa’s top division after a crucial 37-17 win over Côte d’Ivoire in the 7th-place playoff of the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup at Namboole Stadium.
Under pressure after back-to-back losses to Kenya and Morocco, Uganda had one job, win or drop out of Division One. And they delivered, pulling away in the second half to seal survival on home soil.
It was a tough campaign for the Cranes. They entered the tournament with big hopes but were quickly knocked off course. Early defeats ended their World Cup dreams and nearly cost them their Division One status.
Elsewhere, Zimbabwe stole the spotlight with a dramatic 30-28 win over Namibia in the final, ending Namibia’s long run of World Cup qualifications and earning their own first ticket to the tournament in 34 years.
Namibia, who had qualified for every World Cup since 1999, will now face the United Arab Emirates in a do or die playoff. The winner earns a place in the Nations Cup second division.
The 2025 Rugby Africa Cup brought together eight of the continent’s best: Uganda, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, all chasing Africa’s only automatic spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
