The Rugby Africa Cup will showcase the immense talent that African rugby unions have to offer, highlighting the skill, dedication, and potential of players from across the continent
KAMPALA, Uganda – Today, marks the official countdown for the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup, a continental rugby tournament across Africa. The tournament is set to commence this Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, July 28 in Kampala, Uganda.
The Rugby Africa Cup will showcase the immense talent that African rugby unions have to offer, highlighting the skill, dedication, and potential of players from across the continent. Participating nations include Zimbabwe, Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and the host nation Uganda.
The tournament organized by Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), the continental governing body across Africa, is a continental rugby union tournament featuring the top eight unions across Africa. The 2024 tournament serves as the first stage of the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers for the African region. Namibia’s victory in the 2022 Rugby Africa Cup, secured the champions a spot in the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, with Kenya finishing as the runner-up.
All twelve matches will take place at the refurbished Mandela National Stadium and Wankulukuku Stadium, kicking off with the opening match between defending champions, Namibia and Burkina Faso at 10:00 (local Uganda time) on Saturday, July 20 in Kampala, Uganda.
This tournament marks a momentous occasion for Uganda and Uganda Rugby Union (URU), (https://www.ugandarugby.com), the official host of the tournament, as it is the first time the country is hosting the Rugby Africa Cup. Having also secured the rights to host the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, Uganda is set to become a central hub for sports development and tourism in Africa. The tournament promises to bring fans from across the continent to visit the beautiful country, boosting tourism and showcasing Uganda on the international stage.
“For Uganda to win the bid to host the 2024 & 2025 editions of the Rugby Africa Cup means a lot to us as a Union. It is a chance to showcase our ability to host such events and welcome fans to enjoy not just rugby but the many attractions in Uganda,” stated Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Rugby Union, Isaac Lutwama Nsubuga.
“The importance of this tournament taking place here cannot be overstated. It is a very big milestone for rugby growth in general in Africa, but especially for the region of East and Central Africa, and Uganda in particular. This event will manifest the growth of rugby in our East African region, and as in Uganda, we are very excited to be the first to host. Our priority will be to deliver an excellent tournament and give our guests from all over Africa a memorable experience,” expressed the President of the Uganda Rugby Union, Godwin Kayangwe.
“We are thrilled to host the Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda and showcase our country’s warm hospitality and passion for rugby. It has been an exciting couple of months in the journey leading up to this tournament and I can guarantee that this is the kind of tournament that will go down in the books of history as exceptional,” stated Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Fudribo.
“The 2024 Rugby Africa Cup will feature teams at full strength, which is an important indicator. Global rugby is evolving, and in the next two years, the quality of results from Africa will elevate rugby across the continent to a new level,” confirmed the President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah.
“I extend my gratitude to the Minister of Sports in Uganda, Peter Ogwang, and the President of the Uganda Rugby Union, Godwin Kayangwe, for their extraordinary commitment to hosting the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup. Uganda’s commitment to hosting this event is beyond exceptional, allowing the top eight teams to compete,” added Mr. Mensah.
As Uganda continues to welcome the world for the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup, tickets are available to purchase through the Rugby Africa Cup Portal
(https://rugbyafricacup.ticket.ug) and through MTN Uganda mobile money service (MOMO).
All matches are available for broadcasting on NBS Sports Uganda and DSTV Channel (377). In addition, all matches are available to stream for free on Rugby Pass TV (https://rugbypass.tv/home), Rugby Africa Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RugbyAfrique) and Rugby Africa YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/RugbyAfrique).
To Purchase Tickets: https://rugbyafricacup.ticket.ug/
Match Day 1: 20 July 2024
Burkina Faso VS Namibia
Kick off 10:00 (local Uganda time)
Kenya VS Senegal
Kick off 12:00 (local Uganda time)
Algeria VS Cote D’Ivoire
Kick off 14:00 (local Uganda time)
Zimbabwe VS Uganda
Kick off 16:00 (local Uganda time)
Media Contact:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Advisor
nicole.vervelde@rugbyafrique.com
About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the continental governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria, and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.
