Africa Cup returns this weekend

Last year's packed stadium in Antananarivo

Last year’s Rugby Africa Cup at the Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar was an experience just watching on the stream. And this weekend its back again, but with the extra spice of World Cup qualification on offer, as well as places in WXV.

Because the promised African Divisions 2 and 3 have not materialised in the last year, the only same four teams – Cameroon, Kenya, Madagascar and South Africa – will take part.

At a stroke this ensures that several other African nations are out of contention for World Cup and WXV qualification without being able to step on the field – including Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tunisia, any or all of who would be competitive against most of the teams selected to play (with the exception of South Africa).

We hear that a Division 2 tournament is being promised again for later in the year, but that will be too late for these teams, two of which – Zambia and Zimbabwe – will also be playing this weekend.

The four teams that will be taking part will be playing a round-robin between 4^th and 12^th May, with all matches at the Stade Makis.

4^th May: South Africa v Cameroon; Madagascar v Kenya

8^th May: South Africa v Kenya; Madagascar v Cameroon

12^th May: Kenya v Cameroon; Madagascar v South Africa

It is impossible to see South Africa not winning the tournament, and with an automatic World Cup spot and a place in WXV2. Cameroon were outclassed last year and are likely to suffer the same fate this, but Madagascar and Kenya will be well matched. Kenya only won 29-20 last year, and with the crowd behind them Madagascar could well reverse that this year.

And whoever finished second will qualify for WXV3 where two places in the World Cup will be on offer.

The first match kicks off at 11am BST each day, and the second at 1pm BST.