Game 3 Day
The tournament’s final games took place on Sunday, with the Springboks playing against the host country, Madagascar, while the two East African neighbors, Kenya and Uganda, clashed.
South Africa 61-17 Madagascar
The Springboks left it all on the floor for their last game of the tournament, replicating the success they enjoyed throughout the tournament. They had a dominant run against the hosts to finish with nine tries. At halftime, South Africa led 35-0, which was a huge upset for the hosts, who were coming off two losses to Kenya and Uganda. South Africa displayed why it’s not just a participant in rugby tournaments but a top contender for the championship. With the Rugby World Cup in England in view, this is a huge boost to the team.
The team finished the tournament with three solid victories against all the teams they faced. Madagascar struggled greatly to penetrate the defense set up by the Springboks, and they had to remain strong against the formidable tactical attack they encountered. South Africa had cause for celebration when the final whistle blew, despite conceding three tries to the Madagascar Makis. Their victory secures their status as African Champions for four consecutive tournaments. They also solidified their place at the Rugby World Cup with a strong performance. Madagascar ended the tournament without any wins for the first time, marking a significant upset for the Makis, who placed second in the 2024 season. This outcome eliminates them from the tournament, and they will need to restructure and compete in a series of tournaments to reach this level again.
Kenya 49-0 Uganda
Kenya entered this game just one point ahead of Uganda, and despite Uganda being the underdog in the tournament, they were capable of upsetting the Lionesses. With this in mind, the Lionesses jumped into the game with a tough mindset, ready to defend their position and aim for Silver for the third time at the tournament after placing third last year. The Kenya Lionesses were coming off a loss to South Africa, which arguably was the only team that seemed to give the Springboks a tough time at the tournament. Therefore, they had to finish strong against a team that narrowly defeated the Madagascar Makis.
The Lionesses dominated the game from the start, both on the defensive and offensive ends. Their forwards were crucial with their constant attacks on the Ugandan defense and the offensive end; they didn’t allow the Ugandan side to cross the try line.
This was a learning point for the Ugandan side, which was returning to this stage after six years and having missed out on the previous two tournaments. Their one win against Madagascar was a great morale booster for the young team, which is looking to grow its dominance on the continent. Kenya took silver and Uganda was content with bronze.
Next Stage
South Africa will represent the continent at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, which will take place from late August through September.
