Top 10 African Rugby Teams in 2025

In Summary

• South Africa leads unequivocally, with recent successes underscoring their strength in physicality and strategy.
• Emerging teams like Zimbabwe and Namibia have made notable strides, particularly in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup.
• Rankings can fluctuate based on match outcomes, but evidence leans toward a tiered structure where South Africa stands apart, followed by consistent performers in regional competitions.

Deep Dive!!

Lagos, Nigeria, Tuesday, October 14th— In Africa, rugby has experienced a rise in international exposure, investment, and competition. The Rugby Africa Cup 2025, which was held from July 8-19, was especially significant because it was essential for qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup tournament. 

Although many teams still have a few international matches, recent data indicate that victories in this tournament have strengthened teams like Zimbabwe.

In this article, we rank the top 10 African rugby teams based on the latest World Rugby rankings, recent tournament outcomes, and team momentum.

10. Uganda (Rugby Cranes) - Global Rank: 50

Uganda's athletic foundation is still solid, despite its decline to seventh place in the 2025 Africa Cup. A key figure who inspires is Philip Wokorach, who assisted Uganda to 3 Sevens titles in 2016, 2017 and 2022. He also featured in the 2018 and 2022 Rugby Sevens World Cups.

In 2024, Uganda won their fourth African Rugby Sevens championship and also won the 2022 Africa Men's 7s. The national team has regularly competed in regional tournaments and finished fifth in the 2024 Challenger Series.  

9. Tunisia - Global Rank: 46

Tunisia dominates North Africa with their formidable defence. Leading the charge is veteran Sabri Gmir. In 2021, Tunisia won the Rugby Africa Cup. In late 2023, they defeated Uganda 2-0 in a series to move up the World Rugby Women's Rankings. They also had a competitive women's sevens squad that played in the World Rugby Sevens Series. 

Additionally, the men's team defeated Zimbabwe in the 2018 Rugby Africa Gold Cup and ultimately placed fourth in the competition. They have competed in the World Series, achieving notable tournament placements like sixth in South Africa 2006. Tunisia’s men also won the 2021 Africa Cup tournament.

8. Senegal - Global Rank: 45

Senegal, which placed fifth in the 2025 Africa Cup, is known for their speed and physical combat. Given that other traditional sports, such as Laamb wrestling, are more popular in Senegal, there isn't a single, widely recognised "legend" of Senegalese rugby. 

Max Brito, who represented the Ivory Coast national team and was engaged in a serious accident which led to a spinal injury at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which ultimately ended his career, is a prominent athlete with ties to Senegal. 

Senegal won the 2016 Rugby Africa Cup via a penalty kick in the last minute and finished sixth in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup following a thrilling victory over Uganda. The team has previously participated in World Cup qualifying matches and has produced impressive results, including close defeats to elite African nations like Namibia. 

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7. Madagascar (Makys) - Global Rank: 44

Madagascar's steady performance is influenced by the island's rugby culture. A player who stands out is José Rakoto, who won Player of the Tournament at the Serendib Cup and guided the squad to a historic Africa Cup victory in 2012.

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Group 1B) victory, which guaranteed promotion to the top flight of African rugby and featured the historic 57-54 victory against Namibia, is indicative of the team's overall success.

Madagascar also made it to the final of the 2025 Africa Men's Sevens, which qualified them for the third division of the World Rugby Sevens Series (SVNS) in 2025, and qualified for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 after winning the 2022 Africa Women's Sevens. Not dropping a single point in the first three Africa Women's Sevens matches in 2022 was a noteworthy accomplishment for the women's squad.

6. Algeria - Global Rank: 43

Algeria, who excel in tactical kicking and forward force, made a breakthrough with their bronze in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup. The 2018 Rugby Africa Silver Cup triumph, which elevated the side to the top division of African rugby, perfectly embodies Algerian rugby legends. Frédéric Medves, Mathieu Loree, and Jonathan Best are important members of the victorious team. 

Algeria's major rugby accomplishments include defeating Zambia 31-0 to win the 2018 Silver Cup and advance to the top division of African rugby. More recently, they advanced to the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup final after defeating Kenya in a pivotal match that was won by fullback Julien Caminati with a vital penalty kick.

5. Morocco (Atlas Lions) - Global Rank: ~37

Morocco rose in the rankings by focusing on set-piece execution, which is evident after finishing sixth in the 2025 Africa Cup. A notable personality to grace the Moroccan Rugby squad is Abdelatif Benazzi, a well-known former French captain of Moroccan heritage. 

Morocco has made it to the final of the African Championship in 2000, won the North African Tri Nations competition in 2016 and 2017, and qualified for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup by winning the 2024 Repechage final. Morocco's national team was admitted back into World Rugby as a full member in 2024.

4. Kenya (Simbas) - Global Rank: 35

Kenya displayed athleticism and sevens crossover talents they placed fourth in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup. Notable players include forward George Nyambua and sevens star Collins Injera.

Highlights of Kenya's rugby accomplishments include winning the 2016 Singapore Sevens, making it to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2009 and 2013, and often competing in the Olympic Games. 

The team has placed third in the Africa Rugby Cup and won the Elgon Cup several times in the 15-a-side competition.  At the Kenyan Sports Personality Awards, the national sevens team has also taken home the "Team of the Year" honour six times.

3. Namibia (Welwitschias) - Global Rank: 27

Namibia, the runners-up in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, continues to outperform its opponents. Jacques Burger is a name that comes up when notable Namibian stars are discussed, a flanker who had a long career with Saracens and played over 40 tests for Namibia.

The main focus of Namibia's rugby accomplishments is their seven-time consecutive appearances in the Rugby World Cup, which they qualified for from 1999 to 2023. They have also advanced to the Rugby Africa Cup final and won the IRB Nations Cup in 2010. In 2015, they lost to Georgia by one point at the Rugby World Cup, which was their closest finish.

2. Zimbabwe (Sables) - Global Rank: 25

In 2025, Zimbabwe's Sables have risen to prominence, defeating Namibia in the final to win the Rugby Africa Cup. Zimbabwe has produced many rugby legends who have had successful careers both domestically and internationally, including Richard Tsimba, the first black player to represent Zimbabwe at a Rugby World Cup.

Rugby Africa Cup victories in 2012, 2024, and 2025 are among Zimbabwe's rugby accomplishments; the 2025 victory guaranteed a spot in the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The team hasn't participated in the World Cup since 1991. The Sables have recently excelled in test matches, keeping a perfect record in 2024, and they have risen significantly in the World Rugby Rankings, hitting their highest position since 2015.

1. South Africa (Springboks) - Global Rank: 1

The Springboks, a team from South Africa, are still the unquestioned dominant power in African rugby and a major player on the world stage. They secured their top status in 2025 after they defeated New Zealand on points difference to win the Rugby Championship.

Important players who keep performing well in high-stakes games are winger Cheslin Kolbe, fly-half Handré Pollard, and captain Siya Kolisi. South Africa is the most successful side in the history of the Rugby World Cup, having won the competition four times (1995, 2007, 2019, 2023). They have also won the British & Irish Lions series in 2009 and 2021, and 14 times in the Rugby Championship (formerly the Tri-Nations). 

The Springboks' depth, which is demonstrated in their debates over their 83-man roster, sets them for ongoing supremacy after winning the World Cup back-to-back in previous cycles.