Focus remains firmly on team structures and match strategy as the Rugby Cranes 15s prepare for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup.
The tournament, set for July 8–19, returns to Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, with eight African teams battling for a single qualification slot to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Ahead of their quarterfinal clash against neighbours and arch-rivals Kenya Simbas, strength and conditioning coach Timothy Mudoola is confident the Cranes are ready for the challenge.
“The team is ready and there are no injury concerns,” Mudoola said.
After weeks of high-performance training in South Africa, the squad has now shifted its focus to home ground preparations at Namboole, where residential camp begins this week.
“The camp in South Africa went well. It helped sharpen our set-piece play, boosted our physicality and generally gave us a positive boost heading into the tournament,” he added.
Mudoola emphasized the importance of the opening fixture against Kenya.
“All our hopes are in that first game. It’s a must-win for us. Nothing less than victory—whichever way we get it. The stakes are high and it’s good pressure.”
Uganda finished fifth in last year’s edition, just behind Kenya in fourth. Zimbabwe emerged champions.