Kenya Edges Uganda in Rugby Africa Cup Thriller to Book Semifinal Spot
Kenya Simbas secured a dramatic 32–24 win over archrivals Uganda Rugby Cranes in a pulsating Rugby Africa Cup quarterfinal showdown at Mandela National Stadium on Tuesday. The result ended Uganda’s hopes of qualifying directly for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, while Kenya advances to a highly anticipated semifinal clash with Zimbabwe on July 13.
In one of Africa’s fiercest rugby rivalries, the stakes were higher than ever—victory not only meant bragging rights, but also a step closer to World Cup qualification. The East African neighbors didn’t disappoint, delivering an intense, high-octane battle filled with momentum swings and passionate crowd support.
Simbas Start Strong
Kenya drew first blood in the 20th minute through a sharp finish by Griffin Chao, who sliced through the Ugandan defense for the opening try. Minutes later, Barry Young added a second try, and Jone Kubu converted both to give Kenya a commanding 12–0 lead.
Uganda hit back just before the break as Aaron Ofoyrwoth powered through for a try, and Philip Wokorach’s conversion narrowed the gap to 12–7 at halftime.
Momentum Swings in Second Half
The Simbas resumed with purpose. Barry Young slotted a drop goal to stretch the lead, and captain George Nyambua added a third try following a dominant scrum. Chao’s second try of the match pushed the score to 29–10, silencing the home crowd and placing Kenya firmly in control.
But Uganda, backed by a roaring stadium, mounted a late comeback. Wokorach’s try and conversion brought life back to the Cranes, followed by a brilliant chip-and-chase effort from captain Byron Oketayot that closed the deficit to just 29–24 with under ten minutes to play.
As pressure mounted, it was Young again who stepped up, calmly landing a decisive drop goal with three minutes left to secure the 32–24 win for Kenya.
Tuesday’s result extends Kenya’s dominance in their long-standing rivalry with Uganda, first ignited during the Elgon Cup in 2004. Kenya now holds 27 wins in 43 encounters, including memorable victories like the 42–7 triumph in 2022 and last year’s 48–30 sweep.
Kenya’s victory sets up a high-stakes semifinal against Zimbabwe, who booked their place with a 43–8 demolition of Morocco. The winner of that semifinal earns Africa’s only direct qualification spot for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
For Uganda, the focus shifts to placement matches. They’ll take on Morocco in the classification round on Sunday, July 13, at 12:00 PM. Despite the heartbreak, Uganda showed character and promise, especially in the latter stages of the match.
Sunday Fixtures – July 13, 2025
- Côte d’Ivoire vs Senegal – 10:00 AM
- Uganda vs Morocco – 12:00 PM
- Algeria vs Namibia – 2:00 PM
- Zimbabwe vs Kenya – 4:00 PM
Kenya’s semifinal berth marks a significant milestone for a team that narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification in 2022 and 2024. With the dream of playing on rugby’s grandest stage still alive, the Simbas will now look to carry their momentum into a defining battle against Zimbabwe.