The penultimate round in the Performance Division of Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2026 has a familiar set up where champions South Africa and hosts Kenya shall face off in the final match to determine the winner.

It will be a repeat of last year’s final which South Africa narrowly won 19-12. Equally important is the first match of day three pitting Uganda against Madagascar, a survival battle to see which team would drop to the lower development category.

Already, Tunisia won the development category and have been promoted to the Performance Division. Last year, Uganda were promoted to the top tier and they are keen to remain in contention by beating Madagascar.

Slight Edge

On the strength of their performance against South Africa – who rested the bulk of their key players in the match – Uganda have a slight edge against an unpredictable Madagascar who have conceded a massive 121 points in their opening two matches. 

Coach Muhammad Athiyo should be encouraged by the resilience of his team who dictated the opening minutes against the champions. They were on the prowl as early as the fourth minute when Bushira Namutebi missed a penalty.

South Africa 47 Uganda 20 (Ht 19-17)

But the vision of Peace Lekuru, the former captain who chased the missed conversion amidst indecision by South Africa saw her touch down. Namutebi converted for an early 7-0 lead. Seven minutes later, winder Unity Namulala added the second try to stretch the lead 12-0.

South Africa clawed their way back with a try by Shanique Alexander in the 18th minute. Jacomina Cilliers missed the conversion. It was not until in the 31st minute that South Africa struck again when Alichia Arries, the right winger scored the second try which was converted by Cilliers to level the scores 12-12.

Two minutes before the end of the first half, Logan Welman who was named as the best player broke the deadlock by barging over in the 38th minute. Cilliers was sure as the lead changed hands for the first time 19-12 in South Africa’s favor. 

Uganda Penalty

Bushira failed to slot a penalty for Uganda in the 43rd minute but full back Mastula Nambozo landed a try just before the whistle to narrow the gap 19-17 for South Africa at the break.

On resumption, full back Siphenathi Yeko scored a try in the 47th minute and Cilliers converted to stretch the lead 26-17. Naima Hlatshwayo was next over in the 51st minute and Cilliers was sure to see the champions stretch their lead 33-17. 

When substitute Ntsako Tsahuke scored a try in the 69th minute and  Cilliers converted for a 40-17 lead, Uganda were left with a monumental task of ensuring a respectable score. Arries completed her brace in the 77th minute and Cilliers converted. Bushira replied by slotting a penalty for Uganda in the 82nd minute.

Franzel September, one of the assistant coaches for South Africa was happy with the win despite a slow start. “We allowed Uganda to play their brand of rugby, and there was a lack of concentration on our part,” he explained. 

Focusing on the match against Kenya the coach warned that if you allow the opponents to play rugby, “they will kill you.”

Kenya 57 Madagascar 0 (HT 25-0)

In the second match, Kenya Lionesses scored a statement win over their bogey team Madagascar to set up a bruising final match against South Africa. The hosts scored a total of 10 tries but could be worried that only two of these were converted.

Coach Simon Odongo, as promised made several tactical changes which saw the inclusion of Sheila Chajira among the forwards as promised. He is already looking ahead to the challenge against South Africa.

The coach, in a media interview predicted a tough battle identifying South Africa’s prowess in set pieces, line outs and rolling mauls. As a result, Odongo could opt for an open play depending on a good sprinkle of players from the sevens team.

Missing Players

His opposite number, Franzel September, one of the assistant coaches may not have that luxury because the sevens players are in Spain for the second leg of the World Rugby Sevens Championship tournament. Instead, he will rely on some of the experienced players who were at the last Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom.

In an earlier interview, Odongo observed that the last time the two teams met, they were separated by only five points and expected this match to be closer. 

Signalled Intention

As early as the third minute, Kenya Lionesses signalled their intention with an unconverted try by Nelly Chikombe. Three minutes later, Stella Wafula who was named as player of the match added the second try converted by Sinaida Nyachio for a 12-0 lead. 

Chikombe completed her brace in the 30th minute to stretch the lead 17-0. When Faith Livoi crossed the line in the 35th minute and Nyachio added a penalty four minutes lated for a 25-0 lead at half time, Madagascar had an uphill task in the second.

They were denied any leverage by Kenya Lionesses who stamped their authority in the second half after Freshia Oduor touched down in the 42nd and 50th minutes to bring her total tally to four tries. Knight Otuoma was next over in the 66th minute and three minutes later it was Moreen Muritu’s turn to cross the line. Nyachio converted for a 47-0 lead. 

Additional tries by Wafula (73rd) and Edith Nariaka (78th) closed the scoring spree. The big question is whether they can replicate this performance against a solid and tactical South Africa to lift the title for the first time.

Line ups

Uganda: 15 Matsula Nambozo (Justine Angucia), 14 Unity Namulala, 13 Grace Nabaggala, 12 Peace Lekuru, 11 Getrude Kateesa (Rachel Mufuwa), 10 Bushira Namutebi, 9 Juliet Nandawula (Shaine Josephine), 8 Angela Nanyonjo -captain -(Yvonne Najuuma), 7 Suzan Adong, 6 Cabrine Kirabo (Gorret Babirye), 5 Proscovia Mukyala, 4 Leona Acen (Hellen Acanit), 3 Doreen Mbabazi (Christine Kokoi), 2 Fazirah Namukwaya, 1 Doreen Sijali (Phoebe Nakalembe).

Replacements

16 Yvonne Najuuma, 17 Phoebe Nakalembe, 18 Christine Kokoi, 19 Hellen Acanit, 20 Gorret Babirye, 21 Justine Angucia, 22 Rachel Mufuwa, 23 Shaine Josephine.

South Africa: 15 Thamie Yeko, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Jackie Cilliers, 12 Naima Hlatshwayo, 11 Shanique Alexander, 10 Mary Zulu (Chuma Qawe), 9 Insaaf Levy (Chuma Qawe), 8 Logan Welman, 7 Anathi Qolo (captain), 6 Ntsako Mbombi (Nobulhe Mjwara), 5 Nomsa Mokwai (Faith Tshauke,), 4 Zethu Gcaza (Abigail Smit), 3 Thandile Mazwi (Nambuyekezo Mdliki), 2 Roseline Botes (Anushka Groenewald), 1 Yonela Ngxingolo (Xoliswa Khuzwayo,).

Replacements

16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nambuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Abigail Smit, 20 Nobulhe Mjwara, 21 Faith Tshauke, 22 Anacadia Minnaar, 23 Chuma Qawe.

Match officials: Julie Randriarimanana (referee), Precious Pazani, Bineta Sene (assistants)

Kenya: 15 Sinaida Nyachio, 14 Freshia Oduor, 13 Janet Okelo (Yvette Okech), 12 Faith Livoi, 11 Stella Wafula, 10 Moreen Muritu, 9 Judith Okumu (Edith Nariaka), 8 Sheila Chajira, 7 Marvel Oswago (Charity Nillah), 6 Nelly Chikombe, 5 Phoebe Akinyi (Moreen Otieno), 4 Naomi Jelagat (Edith Naliaka), 3 Natasha Emali (Jascenta Musakali), 2 Naomi Muhanji (Knight Otwoma), 1 Jane Chanya (Sheila Wesa).

Replacements: 16 Knight Otwoma, 17 Jascenta Musakali, 18 Sheila Wesa, 19 Edith Naliaka, 20 Charity Nillah, 21 Edith Nariaka, 22 Moreen Otieno, 23 Yvette Okech.

Madagascar: 15 Tiana Razanamahefa, 14 Ginah Raharimalala (Dapesse Manampisoa), 13 Valisoa Razanakiniaina, 12 Delphine Raharimalala (Faniriniaina Linah Armel), 11 Zaya Fanantenana (Mialy Ravaoarinoro), 10 Nomenjanahary Valerie, 9 Joela Mirasoa Fenohasina, 8 Sariaka Nomenjanahary (Felana Rasoarimanana), 7 Volatiana Rasoanangrasana (Harilala Ravelonanahary), 6 Faratiana Myreille (Nofy Nomenjanahary), 5 Felana Rakotoarison, 4 Oliviane Andriatsilavina, 3  Avotriniaina Zarasoa (Miora Rabarivelo), 2  Laurence Rasoanantenaina (Elinah Raminoarisoa), 1 Mamisoa Rasoarimalala.

Replacements: 16  Elinah Raminoarisoa, 17 Miora Rabarivelo, 18 Nofy Nomenjanahary, 19 Harilala Ravelonanahary, 20 Felana Rasoarimanana, 21 Faniriniaina Linah Armel, 22 Dapesse Manampisoa, 24  Mialy Ravaoarinoro.

Match Officials: Rejoice Simeti (referee), Precious Pazani, Bineta Sene (assistants)

Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2026

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

Fixtures and Results

May 23: South Africa 64 Madagascar 5, Kenya 43 Uganda 10.

May 27: South Africa 47 Uganda 20, Kenya 57 Madagascar 0.May 31: Uganda v Madagascar, South Africa v Kenya.