Uganda’s Lady Rugby Cranes clinched the bronze medal at the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens in Accra after a gritty 17-5 victory over Madagascar in the third-place playoff.
The triumph secures Uganda’s qualification for the 2025 HSBC World Rugby Challenger Series, and marks their second consecutive bronze finish in the continental tournament.
After a challenging 19-0 defeat to Kenya in the semi-finals, where Uganda failed to score for the first time in the tournament, the Lady Cranes rebounded decisively against Madagascar.
The playoff match was intensely contested, with Uganda’s Grace Nabaggala and Grace Auma each scoring a try in the first half, sandwiching Madagascar’s only points of the game.
The second half saw Auma once again rise to the occasion, adding the game’s only points to widen the margin, and secure a vital win for Uganda.
This win not only marks the Lady Cranes’ second consecutive Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens bronze medal but also earns them one of the three African spots at next year’s World Challenger Series, joining champions South Africa and runners-up Kenya.
The tournament concluded with South Africa defending their title, defeating Kenya 19-10 in the final to maintain their continental supremacy and secure their own Challenger Series berth.
