Exciting start to Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Olympic Qualifier
The Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Olympic Qualifier got off to a thrilling start at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday with Kenya, Zimbabwe and Namibia winning all three of their matches to stamp their authority on the opening day.
The winner of the tournament will represent the African continent at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games along with the Springbok Sevens, who qualified for the showpiece by finishing second on the log table at the conclusion of the 2014/2015 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Kenya, who are a core team on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, started the tournament strongly as they combined raw pace with skill on attack and delivered a solid defensive effort, which saw them concede only five points in their first three matches.
The team opened up the day with a 50-5 victory against Mauritius, and then defeated Kenya 27-0 and secured a morale-boosting 46-0 win against Madagascar to close off the day.
These fine performances earned Kenya the top spot on the log table on the opening day.
Zimbabwe also showed their class with a series of solid performances, which earned them a 31-12 victory against Nigeria, a 48-0 win against Zambia and a 43-0 win against Uganda.
Namibia, who have former Springbok Sevens assistant coach Vuyo Zangqa on their coaching team, meanwhile, kicked off their campaign with a 24-21 victory against Morocco, and then beat Botswana 33-0 and Tunisia 45-10.
In the Cup Quarter-finals on Sunday, Kenya will face Madagascar, Uganda will take on Tunisia, Namibia will line up against Morocco, and Zimbabwe will battle it out with Nigeria.
In the Bowl Quarter-finals, meanwhile, Senegal will meet Zambia, and Mauritius will go up against Botswana.
Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Olympic Qualifier day one results (Saturday, 14 November):
Kenya 50 – 5 Mauritius
Madagascar 33 – 17 Senegal
Zimbabwe 31 – 12 Nigeria
Uganda 47 – 5 Zambia
Tunisia 24 – 7 Botswana
Namibia 24 – 21 Morocco
Kenya 27 – 0 Senegal
Madagascar 27 – 29 Mauritius
Zimbabwe 48 – 0 Zambia
Uganda 19 – 12 Nigeria
Tunisia 21 – 15 Morocco
Namibia 33 – 0 Botswana
Kenya 46 – 0 Madagascar
Senegal 19 – 17 Mauritius
Zimbabwe 43 – 0 Uganda
Zambia 14 – 19 Nigeria
Tunisia 10 – 45 Namibia
Morocco 45 – 5 Botswana
Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Olympic Qualifier day two fixtures (Sunday, 15 November)
Bowl Quarter-finals:
10h00 – Senegal vs Zambia
10h22 – Mauritius vs Botswana
Cup Quarter-finals:
10h44 – Kenya vs Madagascar
11h09 – Uganda vs Tunisia
11h34 – Namibia vs Morocco
11h59 – Zimbabwe vs Nigeria
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