Rugby Africa Confirms New Format for 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series

The 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series will be delivered through two competitions: the SVNS 3 2026/2027 Africa Qualifiers in Uganda on 26–27 September and the Mauritius Sevens Tournament 2026 on 3–4 October. (Ranking Information Below)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa –Rugby Africa confirms the new format for the2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series, which will be delivered through two complementary competitions following the postponement of the continental event originally scheduled in Mauritius in June.

Approved by the Rugby Africa Executive Committee, the revised structure will feature theSVNS 3 2026/2027 Africa Qualifiers in Ugandaand theMauritius Sevens Tournament 2026 in Mauritius.

The new format aims to strengthen the competitiveness of men’s sevens rugby in Africa, provide more opportunities for national teams to compete at a high level, and reinforce the pathway connecting African rugby to the international sevens structure.

TheSVNS 3 2026/2027 Africa Qualifierswill open the2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Seriesand will take place in Uganda on26 and 27 September 2026. Hosted by theUganda Rugby Union, the competition will bring together six African men’s sevens teams competing for qualification toWorld Rugby SVNS 3 2026.

The invited unions are:

• Fédération Malgache de Rugby
• Zimbabwe Rugby Union
• Uganda Rugby Union (Host Union)
• Zambia Rugby Union
• Ghana Rugby Football Union
• Fédération Tunisienne de Rugby

The team finishing first at theSVNS 3 2026/2027 Africa Qualifierswill qualify forWorld Rugby SVNS 3 2027, providing the African representative with an opportunity to compete on the international sevens stage.

The final results of the competition will also determine the teams’ positions from3rd to 8thin theAfrica Men’s Sevens Ranking 2026. The tournament winner will be ranked3rd in Africa, while the lowest-ranked team will occupy8th position.

TheMauritius Sevens Tournament 2026will take place on3 and 4 October 2026in Mauritius and will serve as a major showcase of African men’s sevens rugby. Hosted by theMauritius Rugby Federation, the tournament will feature eight teams competing for continental honours.

The invited unions are:

• South African Rugby Union
• Kenya Rugby Union
• Mauritius Rugby Federation (Host Union)
• Nigeria Rugby Football Federation
• Fédération Burkinabé de Rugby
• Fédération Royale Marocaine de Rugby
• Fédération Sénégalaise de Rugby
• TBC

Africa Men’s Sevens Ranking 2026

The finalAfrica Men’s Sevens Ranking 2026will be determined through the revised structure of the2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series.

The ranking framework will be as follows:

• South African Rugby UnionandKenya Rugby Unionwill retain the1st and 2nd positionsrespectively, regardless of their results at theMauritius Sevens Tournament 2026, as both teams are already part of the global SVNS competition pathway.
• Teams competing in theSVNS 3 2026/2027 Africa Qualifierswill determine positions3rd to 8thaccording to their final tournament results.
• The teams participating in the Mauritius Sevens Tournament 2026 shall be ranked from 9th to 13th such that the winner of the tournament is ranked 9th while the bottom placed team is ranked 13th

Through this revised structure, Rugby Africa continues to invest in the growth, development, and competitiveness of men’s sevens rugby across the continent. The2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Serieswill provide unions with a valuable platform to test their teams, develop players, and continue building towards international success. Rugby Africa looks forward to welcoming participating unions, players, officials, and supporters to Uganda and Mauritius for a celebration of African rugby sevens.