Uganda’s Rugby World Cup Dream Gets Boost with South African Support and Webb Ellis Cup Tour

 Uganda’s ambitions to host a successful Rugby Africa Cup 2025 and qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup received a significant boost today as a delegation from Nile Breweries and the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) visited the South African High Commission in Kampala. The visit underscored the strong rugby ties between the two nations and highlighted South Africa’s role as an inspiration for Ugandan rugby.

Wangechi Gitahi, Head of Marketing for Nile Breweries, and Isaac Lutwama Nsubuga, CEO of the Uganda Rugby Union, met with Solly Sebola, the Chargé d’Affaires at the South African High Commission. The discussions centred on Uganda’s preparations to host both the continental tournament and the highly anticipated tour of the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup, the Rugby World Cup trophy.

Nile Breweries, through its flagship brand Nile Special, has consistently supported Ugandan rugby and is once again backing the Uganda Rugby Union and the national team, the Rugby Cranes. This continued partnership is crucial as Uganda prepares for a pivotal year in its rugby history.

South African High Commission Chargé d’Affaires Solly Sebola (left, in black) with Wangechi Gitahi, Head of Marketing for Nile Breweries.

Rugby Africa Cup 2025: A Pathway to the World Cup

The Rugby Africa Cup 2025, scheduled to take place at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala from July 8 to July 20, 2025, will serve as a direct qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Eight of Africa’s top rugby nations will compete in a knockout format, beginning at the quarterfinal stage. The participating teams include reigning 2024 champions Zimbabwe, host Uganda, Namibia, Kenya, Algeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Morocco.

Uganda, who were champions in 2007, will kick off their campaign against regional rivals Kenya. The winner of the Rugby Africa Cup 2025 will automatically secure a spot in the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The runner-up will have another chance, advancing to a repechage match against the Asian runners-up, also to be hosted in Uganda, for an opportunity to reach the final global repechage and claim the last qualification spot.

The visit to the South African High Commission also emphasised the importance of the Webb Ellis Cup Tour. South Africa, as the current Webb Ellis Cup holders after their 2023 victory in France, has already secured their spot in the next World Cup, making their support and the trophy’s presence even more impactful.

“Working closely with the South African High Commission is so important because South Africa are not only the reigning Rugby World Cup champions but also a huge inspiration to us,” said URU CEO Lutwama. “The Webb Ellis Cup’s presence here will motivate our players and fans as we fight for our place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup alongside them.”

Wangechi Gitahi of Nile Breweries echoed this sentiment, stating, “Nile Special has always been the number one fan of Ugandan Rugby, and this visit means a lot to our journey of helping our teams achieve big dreams.”

Chargé d’Affaires Solly Sebola expressed South Africa’s pride in sharing this historic moment with Uganda. “Bringing the Cup here gives hope and inspiration to everyone who loves rugby,” Sebola said. “We wish Uganda the best in the Rugby Africa Cup, and we hope to see them in Australia in 2027 standing beside South Africa as Africa’s representatives.”

The Rugby Africa Cup 2025 and the Webb Ellis Cup tour are supported by key partners, including Rockboom, MTN MoMo (official ticketing partner), NBS Sport (broadcast partner), Uganda Tourism Board, CFAO Uganda, Uganda Airlines, Vivo Energy, and Speke Resort. The Webb Ellis Cup tour promises to offer fans a rare opportunity to celebrate rugby’s highest prize while rallying crucial support for the national team’s World Cup qualification bid.