Uganda pooled against Brazil at World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 opener

Uganda’s men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams are set to compete in the HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025, a crucial tournament aimed at boosting global rugby sevens development. The first and second rounds of the competition will take place at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on 1-2 and 7-8 March, featuring 12 teams in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Tournament Structure and Uganda’s Pools

The Challenger tournament consists of three rounds, with the top eight teams from the first two rounds progressing to the final leg at the Henryk Reyman’s Municipal Stadium in Krakow, Poland, on 11-12 April. The top four ranked teams at the conclusion of the third round will qualify for the HSBC SVNS Play Off tournament in Los Angeles on 3-4 May, offering a pathway to the prestigious HSBC SVNS series.

In the men’s category, Uganda faces a formidable challenge in Pool C, where they are set to battle rugby sevens powerhouses Samoa and Brazil. The competition will be fierce, but Uganda’s team has been steadily improving and will be looking to cause upsets in their quest for a top-eight finish.

On the women’s side, Uganda has been drawn into Pool C alongside Belgium and Colombia. The Ugandan women’s team will aim to leverage their regional success and experience to push for a strong finish and a place in the final round in Krakow.

Format and Expectations

The tournament format mirrors the HSBC SVNS Cape Town competition, ensuring a high level of competitiveness. The four pool winners will advance directly to the semi-finals, while second-placed teams will contest for fifth to eighth places. Teams that finish third in their pools will play for ninth to twelfth positions.

Uganda’s teams will be aiming to secure a top-eight finish in Cape Town to keep their hopes alive for qualification to the HSBC SVNS Play Off tournament. A strong performance in these opening rounds will be critical to their aspirations.

Kickoff and Schedule

The action at Athlone Stadium kicks off at 10:00 local time (GMT+2) on Saturday, 1 March. The men’s and women’s finals are scheduled for Sunday, 2 March, at 19:23 and 19:54, respectively.