Following a bronze medal finish at the 2025 women’s Rugby Africa Cup, Uganda has climbed into the top thirties on World Rugby’s women’s rankings.
This is Uganda’s maiden foray within the best thirty rugby playing countries in the world since World Rugby introduced its ranking system on January 1, 2016.
The Lady Rugby Cranes gained four places from thirty-third at the start of the Africa Cup to twenty-ninth after its conclusion. For tests played in the June 9-15 week, they were joint-top mover on World Rugby’s rankings.
The historic move came after an emphatic victory over hosts Madagascar despite losing to South Africa and Kenya.
“Oh team, playing rugby at this level this year means everything we ever dreamed of is achievable if we believe. This bronze means we leap 4 places up world rugby rankings, an incredible reward for our hard work and ambition on the continental stage. We’re here to stay!” Angella Nanyonjo, the Lady Rugby Cranes captain, posted on her Twitter/X account.
Uganda is now the third-highest ranking African country on the rankings list behind Kenya and champions South Africa.
African countries on the World Rugby Women’s Rankings list (as of June 17, 2025):
1. South Africa (12th in the world)
2. Kenya (20th)
3. Uganda (29th)
4. Madagascar (30th)
5. Tunisia (36th)
6. Cameroon (37th)
7. Zambia (47th)
8. Senegal (49th)
9. Zimbabwe (50th)
10. Côte d’Ivoire (54th)
11. Burundi (57th)
12. Botswana (59th)
13. Namibia (62nd)
