While the battle to claim the Africa 1 spot continues in earnest in Madagascar, Tunisia confirmed their place in next year's Confederation Africaine de Rugby Division 1A after winning the Division 1B title and with it promotion to the region's top tier competition. 

Winger Haythem Chelly scored the only try of the match three minutes from time as Tunisia beat Ivory Coast 26-6 in the final. The rest of Tunisia’s points came from the near flawless kicking of full back Chemssedine Khalifa who successfully landed seven penalty goals to help his side to a third win in eight attempts against the Ivorians. In the first round, Tunisia defeated Senegal 22-14 in a match that was not as close as the scoreline would suggest. Had Khalifa not missed four attempts at goal they would have been out of sight at half-time instead of only being 9-0 up. Senegal were always on the back foot until two late consolation tries gained them a measure of pride.

The third place play-off between Uganda and Senegal was understandably a much less tense affair and produced a total of seven tries and 63 points. Uganda outscored Senegal four tries to three but fell just short of winning the first-ever competitive fixture between the nations. Captain and full back Steeve Sargos, flanker Charles N’Daye-Preira and winger Samb Victor-Biram scored Senegal’s tries, while Folliot Aldric kicked 14 points in a 32-31 victory that sees them finish in third place and Uganda fourth in the Africa Cup Division 1B table. As well as picking up the wooden spoon Uganda dropped eight places in the IRB World Rankings to 57th.

Results 

10/06 Uganda 19-22 Ivory Coast; Tunisia 22-14 Senegal
14/06 Tunisia 22-6 Ivory Coast; Uganda 31-32 Senegal

Division 1C

Round 2 Review

A high-scoring second round in Africa Cup Division 1C produced 28 tries and wins for Nigeria, Mauritius and Impala Rustenburg at the Botswana University Stadium on Wednesday. All nine of Nigeria’s tries were scored by backs as they romped to a 61-10 win over Swaziland. Chiedozie Dinobi crossed for a hat-trick and there were try doubles for fellow wing Christian Ogar and centre Yahaya Samson. Fly half and captain Azeez Lapido scored the other try as well as kicking seven conversions for a 19-point haul.

Mauritius defied the form book to record an impressive 54-17 win over Zambia, who, at the time, were ranked 22 places higher. Number 8 Fabrice Lamusse and scrum half Philippe Montocchios, with two apiece, lock Marie Nicolas, flanker and captain Olivier Baissac, wing Eric Lagesse, centre Carl Stow and replacement Dimitri Lebreton scored Mauritius’ tries.

Winger Dumisani Matyeshana scored a first-half hat-trick and number 8 and captain Neus Nel followed suit after the break as tournament guests Impala Rustenburg thrashed Botswana 54-9. Replacements Henro Huyser and Jason Douwrie also crossed the host nation’s line, while fly half Willie Kok added the extras to all bar the final try of the match. All of Botswana’s points came from the boot of Hugo Botha.

Round 1 Review

Botswana romped to a record 86-0 win over Swaziland in their opening match of Africa Cup Division 1C. Known as the Vultures, Botswana raced into a 59-0 half-time lead after scoring nine tries before adding four more after the break. Winger Kagiso Molefhi grabbed a hat-trick of tries at the Botswana National Stadium and tight head prop Katiego Mohutsiwa and centre Hugo Botha got two apiece. Botha also kicked six conversions before handing over the kicking duties to fly half Tshoganetso Katse who was successful with four attempts at goal. There were also tries for each of the back row trio, captain Shaun Landsberg, fellow flanker Molibi Maphanyane and number 8 Ketshidile Matananga, hooker Thato Maifala, lock Eddie Ernest and replacement Stefan Van Zyl.

A superb second-half display saw guest team Impala Rustenburg ease to a 61-17 win over Mauritius. Flanker Leon Du Plessis was the star of the show for Impala after scoring four of their 10 tries, while fly half Willie Kok enjoyed a fine day too, converting his own try as well as eight others for a personal tally of 23 points. Impala led 21-10 at half-time after tries from Du Plessis, Kok, centre Dumisani Matyeshana and captain and number 8 Neus Nel.Du Plessis completed his treble after the interval and Matyeshana added a second as Impala pulled clear. Scrum half Jermain Appous, centre Justin St Terry and lock Henro Huyser also got their names on the scoresheet.

Two late tries saw Zambia begin their campaign with a 30-20 win over Nigeria. Zambia outscored their opponents five tries to three, full back Andrew Mwape sealing victory with his second score five minutes from time.

Results
15/06 Botswana 87-0 Swaziland; Impala Rustenburg 61-17 Mauritius; Nigeria 20-30 Zambia
18/06 Nigeria 61-10 Swaziland; Zambia 17-54 Mauritius; Botswana 9-54 Impala Rustenburg

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