Uganda emerged 3rd in the tournament in Ghana
Uganda’s Lady Cranes secured the remaining 2025 Challenger Series spot after defeating Madagascar 17-5.
Only one spot had been left after South Africa and Kenya earlier secured their tickets for next year’s series. The third-place playoff win in the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens tournament came as a massive relief to Uganda, whose 19-0 defeat to rivals Kenya in the semi-finals left them needing to beat islanders Madagascar to progress.
Grace Auma scored twice for Uganda while Grace Nabagala crossed once. The 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens tournament was organized by Rugby Africa, the continental governing body of Rugby across Africa, in partnership with the Government of Ghana.
The 2024 tournament brought together 12 national women’s teams at full strength, featuring nations such as 2023 reigning champions South Africa, Kenya, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Ghana, Mauritius, Uganda, Zambia, Senegal and Cote d’ Ivoire.
SOUTH AFRICA RETAIN TITLE
South Africa retained their title after beating Kenya 19-10 in a thrilling final on Sunday. The South Africans, being stretched for the first time in the competition, had fallen behind to an early try after Kenya’s Stellah Wafula became the first player in the competition to score against the red-hot Lady Blitzboks.
The exciting Ayanda Malinga then finished off in the corner after a scrum position across the field to get South Africa level. In the second half, Sharon Auma restored Kenya’s lead with a blistering try but South Africa were back in after Felicia Jacobs’ superb support running had her finishing off Zihtle Mhpupa’s line break for a converted try.
With the score 12-10 in favour of South Africa, the pumped-up Kenyans poured forward and threatened to snatch it in the end. But South Africa’s defence remained resolute until Jacobs again scored at the death after another solo run from the big Mphupa.
Pool A: South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso
Pool B: Kenya, Madagascar, Ghana, Mauritius
Pool C: Uganda, Zambia, Senegal, Côte D’Ivoire
Source: The Observer
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