The 2026 Rugby Africa competition calendar begins with a Women’s Division One Cup slated for Tunis, Tunisia from May 1-10. 

Teams in this competition to be staged at Menzah Stadium are hosts Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Morocco. Zimbabwe could not travel. 

According to the fixtures, Tunisia tackle Ivory Coast on the opening day before Morocco faces the same side on May 12. On the third day, the hosts, Tunisia return to the fray to play in a North African derby against Morocco on May 16.

Uganda Promoted

Last year, Uganda won this division ahead of Tunisia, Zimbabwe, and Ivory Coast while Morocco did not participate. Uganda were promoted to the Women’s Cup, the next tournament on the Rugby Africa calendar to be hosted by Kenya at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground from May 21 to May 31, 2026.

Titled the Performance Division, the tournament in Nairobi shall feature South Africa who are the defending champions, hosts Kenya, Madagascar and newly promoted Uganda. On Match Day one, May 23, 2026, South Africa plays Madagascar while Kenya renews their rivalry with Uganda in an East Africa derby.

Last Year Winners

The champions return to the turf on May 27 to face Uganda while Kenya have a date with Madagascar. Match Day three on May 31 has Uganda tackling Madagascar and Kenya facing South Africa. Last Year, South Africa were winners ahead of Kenya, Uganda and Madagascar.

After the opening two tournaments on the Rugby Africa calendar, other key dates will see Mauritius host the Africa Men’s 7’s from June 20-21, 2026. The event will have 12 teams namely South Africa, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Mauritius and a team yet to be named.

Barthes Trophy

The under-20 Barthes Trophy has eight teams and will be played at the Hoima City Stadium, Uganda from August 5-16, 2026. It has two divisions. The Performance Division – Tier One – has Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tunisia. 

Tier Two Division – Development – has Uganda, Zambia, Madagascar and Ivory Coast. Sarah Adong, a journalist, will lead the organizing committee, a first for the region.

From November 7-8, 2026, Kenya will again host the Africa Women’s Sevens tournament. This event has 12 teams namely South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mauritius, Burkina Faso, Egypt and another team yet to be named.

On the calendar, there are regional tournaments such as the Victoria Cup ( four teams), Toyota Cup (eight teams), Elgon Cup (three teams), and the annual Safari Sevens from 9-11 October.

Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2026

Division One

Menzah Stadium, Tunis, Tunisia

May 8-16

May 8: Tunisia v Ivory Coast.

May 12: Morocco v Ivory Coast.

May 16: Tunisia v Morocco.

Performance Division

RFUEA Ground May 21-31

May 23: South Africa v Madagascar, Kenya v Uganda

May 27: South Africa v Uganda, Kenya v MadagascarMay 31: Uganda v Madagascar, Kenya v South Africa.