Rugby Africa Cup: Final set for Men’s Rugby World Cup spot as Senegal & Algeria seal wins

Algeria have finished third in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup after edging out Kenya 15-5, their second consecutive defeat of the East Africans in this tournament in two years.

First-half tries by the dynamic fullback Benjamin Caminati and blind-side flanker Kamil Bouregba gave Algeria an early advantage before flyhalf Hugo Verdu’s deftly-taken drop goal towards the end of the second half assured them of the victory.

With the scores 12-5 at half time, Algeria shut out the Kenyans in the second-half with solid defending whenever holes were poked in their defence.

Meanwhile, earlier on, history also repeated itself, in dramatic fashion, as Senegal won a seesaw affair 33-28 against Morocco after sudden-death.

The Senegalese, who also took their play-off to sudden-death against Uganda last year, have finished fifth and Morocco sixth.

The thrilling match ended 28–28 after extra time, before Senegal clinched  33–28 with Mamadou Ndiaye dancing his way to score for the Senegalese win.

Demba Kane, flanker Khadim Cisse, fullback Mamadou Niang scored tries for Senegal.

Wingers Youness Hou and Karim Qadiri as well as centre Billai Elkhaoulani crossed over for Morocco.

Namibia and Zimbabwe will face off in the Rugby Africa Cup final, with a direct ticket to the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 on the line. The losing finalists will remain in Kampala for another week to take on the United Arab Emirates in a decisive play-off. The UAE finished as runners-up in the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship.

The 2025 Rugby Africa Cup featured eight of the continent’s top teams, Uganda, Namibia, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, and 2024 champions Zimbabwe, competing in a knockout tournament for the African spot at the Rugby World Cup, the winner will also qualify for the second division of the Nations Cup. Notably, with all qualification set to conclude by the end of 2025, a first in Men’s Rugby World Cup history, all participating teams will be confirmed ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw. The World Rugby Rankings will inform team seedings for the tournament draw. 

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