Rugby In Africa

CAR Development Trophy, South.
Just last weekend we saw the conclusion of the corresponding tournament in the north, which was held in Togo, a tiny republic in West Africa.

The Development trophy is for emerging nations one level below CAR Trophy, which was also played recently. The nations at the trophy level are Morocco (the winner), Kenya, Senegal and Cameroun.

The southern tournament was hit last week with two defections. Both Tanzania and Swaziland pulled out. This left Botswana (hosts), Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Zambia and the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Reunion. Because it is an overseas department of France, Reunion has permission to play as a nation, but is not eligible for World Cup qualifying games.

With the late withdrawls, organisers rearranged the touranment into two pools, with teams only playing across the pools, exactly like the recent IRB Nations tournament held in Bucharest.

The tournament is being held at the University of Botswana Rugby grounds in the capital Gaborone.

Day One
20.07.2009
Zimbabwe 31, Madagascar 22
Botswana 16, Zambia 10
Mauritius 10, Reunion 9

Review
Two upsets were recorded in the first round. Madagascar were well fancied as the tournament favourite. On the day they found the Zimbabweans too strong.

Botswana caused the other upset by downing Zambia who are ranked higher. In the other match Mauritius just edged out Reunion.

Round two is on Wednesday 22 July