The Uganda Rugby Sevens teams wrapped up the first leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Cape Town with mixed results, as both the men’s and women’s teams finished outside the top five.
The Lady Rugby Cranes Sevens fell short in their quest for a higher placement, losing 19-17 to Thailand in the fifth-place playoff.
Despite a spirited effort, Uganda could not hold off Thailand’s late surge. In their final match, Uganda suffered another narrow defeat, losing 21-19 to Czechia in the seventh-place playoff, leaving them in eighth place overall.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Men’s Sevens struggled in their fifth-place playoff, suffering a heavy 47-5 defeat to Portugal.
However, they recovered in their final match, securing a 17-7 victory over Japan in the seventh-place playoff to finish in seventh place.
The results mean both Uganda’s men’s and women’s teams remain in contention for qualification but will need improved performances in the upcoming second leg of the Challenger Series, also set to take place in Cape Town next week.
The top eight teams from the combined results of both legs will advance to the decisive third round in Poland in April.
Uganda’s squads will now regroup and aim for stronger performances in the second leg as they continue their pursuit of qualification for the 2025-26 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
