About us

About us

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Rugby Africa is one of the six regional associations of World Rugby and assembles the African nations that practise 15s and 7s rugby. Today, Rugby Africa organizes the Men’s and Women’s Rugby Africa Cup and Sevens tournaments as well as the U20 Barthés Trophy. To date, Rugby Africa counts 39 members, among whom 24 are full or associate members of World Rugby.

Rugby Africa drives with its dedicated team and in close collaboration with the unions the development of rugby through trainings, workshops, mass participation programs, modern tournament formats and communication.

Previously known as the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR), it exists since 1986 where it was officially launched in Tunis, Tunisia. with the inaugural members Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Kenya, Seychelles and Madagascar. The first organized competitions were the qualifications for the Rugby World Cups 1995 and 1999.

Several African teams participate in the biggest world competitions. South Africa is a regular participant of the Rugby World Cup with three World Cup Champion titles in 1995, 2007 and 2019 and seven participations, in 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019. Namibia is the second union to have represented Africa in this competition, with six participations in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019; Zimbabwe participated twice in 1987, 1991 and Côte d’Ivoire once in 1995.

In 2019, Rugby Africa’s competitions were redesigned. The continent counts several continental and regional tournaments: Men’s and Women’s Rugby Africa Cup, several regional Sevens tournaments, continental Men’s and Women’s Sevens tournaments and the U20 tournament.

Rugby Africa strives to stream its competitions live through social media to attract more fans and advertisers and ensure to transmit a good image of the game. An attractive image of rugby with modern tournaments and formats, that speak to the existing and new future fans.


Africa

MAP OF THE AFRICAN RUGBY UNION.

* World Rugby and Rugby Africa Member
* Rugby Africa Member
* Rugby Africa Affiliated
* Non Active Countries

Any union can ask to become an associated member.  Among the criteria to become a Rugby Africa member union are good management, transparent governance structure and organization as well as the development of rugby. After two years and the fulfilment of further criteria, a union can become a full member of Rugby Africa. Once a union has proven to be a full member in good standing for two years, it can present its application to World Rugby for affiliation.

Click on the countries on the map to be redirected to their social networks or websites (if unions have one).
To get more information on the various unions, click here