Sports: Junior Rugby Cranes face Zimbabwe test as they prepa

Saturday Wankulukuku

Uganda v Zimbabwe, 4pm

 
The Junior Rugby Cranes front row face a tough test on Saturday, August 15, 2026, when they face Zimbabwe in a test match at Mutesa II Memorial Stadium, Wankulukuku.

Uganda Rugby U20 won the U20 Barthes Cup Division I trophy after beating Zambia 81-0 in the opening game and later 27-12 in the return leg.

The Junior Rugby Cranes will taste what they should expect next year in the Performance Division.

Uganda will face Zimbabwe tomorrow (Saturday) at Wankulukuku in a trial match at 4pm.

Whereas they won the trophy, the boys did not have that worthy test because they played a game without contesting scrums due to their opponents not having the forwards.

According to coach Martial Tchumcam, the test match will give him the opportunity to test his front row (forwards) players because they did not have that test against Zambia.

“I am happy that we have got the opportunity to gauge ourselves with one of the teams we shall face next year, and we shall use it to see the areas we must address,” Tchumcam said.

“Remember that against Zambia, our forwards were not tested because we played a game with uncontested scrums. So, this game is important to us because every department will be tested,” Tchumcam added.

He added that such test matches will give the young boys exposure, resulting not only in better performance of the age-grade teams but also stronger national senior teams because of the quality of players produced.

The Performance Division next year is likely to have six teams, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Uganda, and champions Kenya.