Two teams that shall represent Africa and the World Rugby Challenger Series next year will be decided over two weekends at the completion of the two-leg Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens tournament that kicks off in Mauritius on June 29, 2024.

Some 12 teams arrived in Mauritius this week in readiness for the two-day event in which 12 teams have been drawn in three pools of four, a format similar to the one World Rugby has adopted for the World Sevens Series and the Olympics. Namibia, Morocco, Botswana, Ghana and Senegal are some of the notable absentees in Mauritius

Kenya, which is preparing for the Olympics has opted to send a development team, Moran, same as South Africa who booked the remaining Olympic place by beating Great Britain 14-5 in Monaco during the Olympic Repechage tournament. Moran have been drawn in Pool A with hosts Mauritius, Madagascar and Nigeria.

Rugby Cranes of Uganda who have had a busy season are in Pool B where they play against Burkina Faso – who were impressive at the 13th All Africa Games in Accra, Ghana in May – Tunisia and Ivory Coast. Pool C has Zambia, South Africa, Algeria and Zimbabwe.

According to the draw, Zambia and South Africa play in the opening match of the two-day tournament with Kenya and Mauritius expected to face off in the sixth match.

Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens in Mauritius

June 29-June 30 and July 6 and 7

Pool A: Kenya, Mauritius, Madagascar, Nigeria

Pool B: Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Uganda, Ivory Coast

Pool C: Zambia, South Africa, Algeria, Zimbabwe

Fixtures: Zambia v South Africa, Zimbabwe v Algeria, Burkina Faso v Tunisia, Uganda v Ivory Coast, Madagascar v Nigeria, Mauritius v Kenya

Squads

Kenya Moran: Brian Mutua, Ben Salem, Willy Mwanji, Dennis Abukuse, Elvis Olukusi, Richard Liva, Gabriel Ayimba, Harmony Wamalwa, Festus Shiasi, Joel Inzuga, Victor Odhiambo, Edmund Anya.

Rugby Cranes: Pius Ogena, Isaac Massanganzira, Ian Munyani, Philip Wokorach, Alex Aturinda, Desire Ayera, Aaron Oforywroth, Denis Etwau, Adrian Kasito, Karim Arinaitwe, Nobery Okeny, Timothy Kisiga.