The national Tunisia women’s rugby team has been promoted to the Rugby Africa Performance Division after they won the Division One tournament that ended on May 16 at the Menzah Stadium, Tunis.

The hosts completed the three-day event on a clean sheet by beating debutants Morocco 54-0 in a North Africa Derby. Only three teams – Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Morocco – were in Tunisia. Zimbabwe and Nigeria did not travel while Ivory Coast was drafted in as a late participant.

Tunisia will join South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Madagascar in the Performance Division although one of these countries is likely to be relegated to the lower division following a tournament that starts in Nairobi on May 23. 

40th Anniversary

The tournament in Tunisia also marked the 40th Anniversary of Rugby Africa who had an executive meeting attended by some of World Rugby’s top officials. Among them were  Jonathan Webb, vice chair of World Rugby, David Carrigy, World Rugby’s Chief of International Federations, Coralie Van Den Berg World Rugby’s Regional Partnership Manager for Africa.

They were hosted by Herbert Mensah, the Rugby Africa President and Maha Zaoui, the General Manager.

Attention now turns to the Performance Division that kicks off at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa Ground on May 23, 2026 where South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Madagascar shall fight for top honors.

Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2026

Performance Division: South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar.

Fixtures

May 23: South Africa v Madagascar, Kenya v Uganda.

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

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

Rugby Africa Women’s Division One Results

May 8: Tunisia 85 Ivory Coast 0

May 12: Morocco 27 Ivory Coast 5

May 16: Tunisia 54 Morocco 0

Morocco: Dounia Salhi, Nawel Hamadi, Hanane Habib Chorfa, Sherrine Jaddi, Amira Elmoaaraj, Sonia Irigoyen, Noor Elarf, Sara Philipe, Amenis Khaldi Legriel, Shirine Nahi, Rhizlane El Gamoune, Ludivine Jeannin, Nezha Bernou, Ambre Edale.

Replacements: Doha Benslaiman, Sirine Ouafi, Shayma Bali, Wissal Jacono, Julie Beuste, Sonya Saghdaoui, Dounia Benrouba, Aicha Ghamouchi.

Officials: El Arf Morad (manager), G. Ibarburu (head coach), Laurent Ferreres (assistant coach). 

Tunisia: Lamia Mlawah, Hadil Mrifek, Oumaima Dziri, Sondes Falfloul, Ranim Madouri, Norhen Marouai, Nour Ayari, Zahra Hadeji, Siwar Ben Henda, Ala Hidri, Malak Bougaba, Sabrine Ragoubi, Nour Rejeb, Taoua Boudabous, Mariem Hafsi, Zahra Chtoui, Arij Mbarek, Salma Klein, Ranim Ben Brahem, Islem Weili, Chaima Boukadida, Lina Abdallah, Intissar Dhmaied, Yasmine Korbi, Samah Lahoual, Bochra Ben Abderahmen, Rosla Atti, Zained Bebki.Officials: Hamdi Khanous, Nafaa Ben Salem, Arnaue Le Berre, Moez Jaafar, Bilel Mattar, Khaoula Hedhili, Loujayn Ben Halila.