Fixtures & Results

The Rugby Africa U20 Barthés Trophy is the continent's premier under-20 men's fifteen-a-side rugby competition, providing a platform for Africa's emerging rugby talent to compete at international level and progress towards the senior game.

Named in honour of Jean-Luc Barthés, the late World Rugby Services Manager for Africa, the tournament plays a vital role in developing young players, strengthening national teams and creating pathways to international competition.

The 2026 edition took place in Kampala, Uganda, from 7 to 11 August, featuring four teams in the Performance Division and two teams in the First Division.

Kenya Crowned Champions

Kenya secured a record fourth U20 Barthés Trophy title after defeating Namibia 33–14 in the Performance Division final. The victory established Kenya as the most successful team in the competition's history and secured qualification for the World Rugby Junior Trophy.

Namibia finished as runners-up, while Zimbabwe placed third after defeating Tunisia 38–12. The tournament highlighted the strength of Africa's next generation of rugby talent and the continued competitiveness of the continent's leading youth programmes.

In the First Division, hosts Uganda defeated Zambia in both matches of their two-leg contest to earn promotion to the Performance Division for 2027. Tunisia, meanwhile, were relegated following their defeat to Zimbabwe.

2026 Final Rankings

Performance Division

• Kenya — Champions
• Namibia — Runners-up
• Zimbabwe
• Tunisia (Relegated)

First Division

• Uganda — Promoted to Performance Division
• Zambia

The U20 Barthés Trophy remains a cornerstone of Rugby Africa's commitment to youth development, providing young athletes with valuable international experience and a pathway towards senior representative rugby.