An eventful and enthralling 2014 season ended on a high note in the city of Antananarivo in Madagascar with Namibia qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
This year, the Africa Cup, major tournament of the African continent organized by Rugby Africa, takes back its rights from the beginning of June, until August 15th, date of the last match of the 2015 session.
The Africa Cup 1st division will be divided into 3 groups, group A with 4 teams, group B with 6 teams, group C with 4 teams.
At the end of the 2018 edition, the winner will be qualified for the 2019 RWC which will take place in Japan ; the finalist team will play the resits and will stand a second chance to participate in the world joust.
Due to the system of promotions and relegations between the various groups, a team currently forming part of the group C has the possibility to qualify for the World cup if it tops its group every year and thus is promoted to the upper group.
As far as refereeing is concerned, appointments have been made by Rugby Africa in partnership with SARU and FFR. Group A will be refereed by an international pool of match officials: Craig Joubert from South Africa, and Christophe Berdos from France as central referees while assistants referees are appointed among the best African ones (excluding South Africa). For groups B and C, the best African referee (excluding South Africa) will preside. Interestingly and further to Joël Jutge’s request – refereeing manager in World Rugby – a young promising referee coming from the United States will officiate 2 matches of the competition.
On the disciplinary and legal plan, all judicial personal will come from the group of unions’ representatives who completed the Rugby Africa training course back in April, 2014.
Details of the various groups :
Group A :
1. Namibia, 2. Zimbabwe, 3. Kenya, 4. Tunisia
On June 06th, 2015 : Tunisia-Namibia ref C. Berdos (FFR), assistants S. Boyer, J. de Lemos (FFR)
On June 13th, 2015 : Zimbabwe-Kenya in Harare ref S. Berry (SARU), assistants J. Husselmann, O. Lambert (Namibia).
On June 28th, 2015 : Kenya-Tunisia in Nairobi, ref K. Weaver (USA), assistants R. Akena, C. (Uganda) Mulidwa.
On July 04th, 2015 : Zimbabwe-Tunisia in Harare, ref K. Weaver (USA), assistants ref J. Husselmann Nam, D. Koen (Namibia).
On August 08th, 2015 : Namibia-Kenya in Windhoek, ref Lesogo Legoete (South Africa) assistants ref S. Sibanda, D. Mc Donnel (Zimbabwe).
On August 15th, 2015 : Namibia-Zimbabwe to Windheok, ref Graig Joubert (South Africa), assistants ref C. Cap (Kenya).
Upon completion of these 6 matches, the team ranked 4th will be relegated to group B for the 2016 season.
Group B :
From the 3rd to the 11th of July 2015 : Kampala Uganda.
1. Madagascar, 2. Ivory Coast, 3. Senegal, 4. Uganda, 5. Mauritius, 6. Botswana
Pools : Pool A Pool B
1. Madagascar 1. Ivory Coast
2. Uganda 2. Senegal
3. Mauritius 3. Botswana
Matches : on Sunday, July 05th, 2015
Match 1 : Madagascar v Botswana
Match 2 : Mauritius v Ivory Coast
Match 3 : Uganda v Senegal
On Wednesday, July 08th, 2015
Match 4 : Uganda v Ivory Coast
Match 5 : Madagascar v Senegal
Match 6 : Mauritius v Botswana
On Saturday, July 11th, 2015
Match 7 : Mauritius v Senegal
Match 8 : Uganda v Botswana
Match 9 : Madagascar v Ivory Coast
Referees : C. Cap (Kenya), V.L. Andriavelomanana (Madagascar), R. Akena (Uganda).
At the end of the tournament, the team ranked 1st will be promoted to group A for the 2016 season, the team ranked 6th will be relegated to group B.
Group C :
From the 21st to the 27th of June 2015 : Lusaka, Zambia.
For 2015, the tournament will gather only 3 teams, Zambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe B.
On June 21st : Zambia v Nigeria, on June 24th : Nigeria v Zimbabwe B, on June 27th : Zambia v Zimbabwe B
Referee: R. Akena (Uganda).
At the end of the tournament, the team ranked 1st will be promoted to group B.