Rugby in Africa is showing real momentum in 2025, and not just at the elite level in South Africa, but across the continent. Here are some of the key storylines.
2025 Rugby Africa Cup
In 15s, the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup in Kampala doubled as a 2027 World Cup qualifier. Zimbabwe made rugby news by securing a spot under the new 24-team format — their first World Cup appearance since 1991. Namibia, meanwhile, head to a playoff later this year.
It’s a big moment for African rugby, showing teams beyond South Africa and Namibia can now break through and compete on the biggest stage.
Women’s Rugby
On the women’s side, South Africa won the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar, securing their World Cup place. At the tournament in England, they made history by beating Brazil and Italy to reach their first-ever quarter-final, where they ultimately fell to New Zealand.
Uganda also earned promotion to Africa’s top tier, another step forward for the women’s game across the continent.
Sevens Making Waves
Sevens rugby is picking up pace across Africa. At the 2025 Men’s Sevens in Mauritius, Ghana upset Uganda, showing how smaller nations are closing the gap on traditional sides like Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa’s development team.
Meanwhile, a global revamp of sevens from 2026 will affect African teams too — and with its shorter format and fast pace, sevens continues to open doors for emerging nations to compete on equal footing.
Springboks
South Africa’s Springboks retained their Rugby Championship title with a narrow win over Argentina, but their URC clubs have struggled during recent overseas tours, hinting at growing competition and travel fatigue.
Broader Trends
In April, Rugby Africa held a seminar in Morocco with delegates from over 20 nations, focused on school rugby, Olympic pathways, and talent development — forming part of a broader push to grow the game beyond the elite level.
Leadership and inclusion off the field are also in focus. Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah has publicly pushed for more women to be involved in key decision-making roles, arguing that broader representation is essential for the sport’s growth.
Financial ambition is rising as well, evidenced by Uganda investing over US$800,000 to host this year’s Africa Cup. A significant investment for the region even as many unions continue to face tight resources.
Looking Ahead
From Zimbabwe’s World Cup return to Ghana’s sevens upset, and from grassroots investment to rising women’s teams, 2025 is showing what’s possible when more nations are given space to grow. There’s still work to do, but the foundations are stronger than ever.
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