Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

10-day trial by fire set to decide final Rugby World Cup qualifier out of Africa

Johan Deysel. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)

While the global pandemic has been a major disrupter at all levels of the game, it’s the teams who are still vying for spots at the 2023 Rugby World Cup who have arguably been most affected.

ADVERTISEMENT

The likes of South Africa and Japan weren’t able to play any matches in 2020 while other top sides from around the world found their schedules changing on the daily but at least some semblance of normality returned last year.

The same can’t necessarily be said for the emerging nations around the world, however. While past World Cup winners England, Australia and New Zealand may have lost significant revenue and a cluster of fixtures, their four-year World Cup cycle hasn’t really changed significantly. For the teams who have limited opportunities to play test matches but have to somehow prepare for World Cup qualification, it’s fair to say the past two years have been nightmarish.

Video Spacer

Facing Goliath – behind the scenes from Italy’s match with the All Blacks.

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 2:12
Loaded: 7.49%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 2:12
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    Facing Goliath – behind the scenes from Italy’s match with the All Blacks.

    Samoa and Tonga played off last July to determine who would qualify as the Pacific representative at the 2023 World Cup, despite neither side having any significant rugby under their belts since the last tournament in 2019.

    It was a similar story for the Americas qualifiers who played a spate of matches over the second half of the season to decide who would progress straight through to the 2023 event and who would be left to fight it out for a spot in the final repechage tournament. Canada were the big losers in these matches, going down to the USA (in their first tests since 2019) and Chile to see them miss out on a World Cup for the first time in the competition’s history.

    Related

    Of course, the tier-two and three sides have always faced the toughest conditions over the years, and even if they do manage to qualify for rugby’s showpiece event, they tend to face the toughest schedules. Thankfully, that’s no longer set to be the case at 2023 with more evenly distributed rests between matches than in tournaments of the past. Unfortunately, however, that luxury isn’t set to be extended to this year’s major qualifying tournament between the top rugby-playing nations of Africa, with World Rugby unveiling a draw this week that will prove incredibly challenging for the eight teams involved.

    The national sides of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Algeria will all converge in France later this year to take place in the 2022 Africa Cup, which will be a strict eight-team knockout competition (quarter-finals, semi-finals and a grand final) to determine the Africa qualifier for next year’s World Cup. The winner will be placed into Pool A alongside New Zealand, France, Italy and Uruguay.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The major kicker, however, is that the tournament will be played over just 10 days. While every team will be on equal footing, it’s difficult to envisage a situation where the likes of Ireland, Wales or South Africa would be expected to play through a similar gauntlet of matches over such a short period to decide a crucial World Cup spot.

    Based on historical results, the tournament will be a straight shoot-out between Namibia, Zimbabwe and perhaps Kenya for World Cup qualification, although Namibia will enter the 10-day event as clear favourites.

    While the Welwitschias did suffer a shock loss to Ivory Coast during last year’s fixtures, no such result will be anticipated when Namibia have all their players on deck and a spot on rugby’s highest stage is on the line.

    The losing finalist will then join the repechage tournament, where they will face off with the best-of-the-rest teams from the Americas, Europe and Asia.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The Rugby Africa Cup will kick off on 1 July with the final set to be played on July 10. All matches will be hosted in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Men's Highlights

    HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Women's Highlights

    Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

    Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

    Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

    Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

    The Rise of Kenya | The Report

    The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    0 Comments
    Be the first to comment...

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    L
    Logan Savannah 3 hours ago
    実際に利益を上げているイングランドのクラブトップ15を紹介

    I read somewhere while at work on the internet in X that the Bitcoin lost during the Bit get breach, worth more than $5 million, has been fully recovered, thanks to the efforts of Tech Cyber Force Recovery. The breach had left many users devastated, unsure if they would ever see their funds again. However, Tech Cyber Force Recovery stepped in and successfully traced and retrieved the stolen Bitcoin, ensuring that all affected users received 100% of their lost assets. The recovery process was far from easy. The Tech Cyber Force Recovery team used cutting-edge blockchain forensic techniques to track down the stolen funds. They meticulously followed the transaction trail across multiple blockchain networks, piecing together the complex puzzle of the breach. It involved collaboration with cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to ensure that the recovery was not only successful but also secure. The recovery efforts were particularly significant because the total value of the Bitcoin lost during the Bit get breach amounted to over $5 million. This made the task even more critical, as the amount at stake was substantial. Users who had once feared losing their investments can now rest easy, knowing that Tech Cyber Force Recovery was able to restore their assets in full. What sets Tech Cyber Force Recovery apart is not just its technical expertise but also its commitment to transparency. Throughout the entire recovery process, the team kept users informed every step of the way. This communication was crucial in maintaining trust and confidence. Many of the affected Bit get users expressed their gratitude toward Tech Cyber Force Recovery, acknowledging the team’s dedication to ensuring the recovery of their funds. In an era where digital asset security is a growing concern, this recovery serves as an important reminder of the role that blockchain forensics and recovery services play in protecting users. It also underscores the importance of having a trusted service like Tech Cyber Force Recovery available to assist in cases of breaches and theft. Their success in recovering the stolen Bitcoin, worth over $5 million, has made them a beacon of hope for users who might otherwise have lost everything. VISIT THE TEAMS ON WhatsApp +.(156)(172)(636)(97) OR TELEGRAM (AT)TECHCYBERFORC  With the full recovery of the funds, users can now feel more secure about the safety of their digital assets, knowing that there are reliable and capable services like Tech Cyber Force Recovery to help when things go wrong.

    3 Go to comments
    L
    Logan Savannah 3 hours ago
    English rugby's longest-serving ‘one club man’ prepares to bow out

    I read somewhere while at work on the internet in X that the Bitcoin lost during the Bit get breach, worth more than $5 million, has been fully recovered, thanks to the efforts of Tech Cyber Force Recovery. The breach had left many users devastated, unsure if they would ever see their funds again. However, Tech Cyber Force Recovery stepped in and successfully traced and retrieved the stolen Bitcoin, ensuring that all affected users received 100% of their lost assets. The recovery process was far from easy. The Tech Cyber Force Recovery team used cutting-edge blockchain forensic techniques to track down the stolen funds. They meticulously followed the transaction trail across multiple blockchain networks, piecing together the complex puzzle of the breach. It involved collaboration with cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to ensure that the recovery was not only successful but also secure. The recovery efforts were particularly significant because the total value of the Bitcoin lost during the Bit get breach amounted to over $5 million. This made the task even more critical, as the amount at stake was substantial. Users who had once feared losing their investments can now rest easy, knowing that Tech Cyber Force Recovery was able to restore their assets in full. What sets Tech Cyber Force Recovery apart is not just its technical expertise but also its commitment to transparency. Throughout the entire recovery process, the team kept users informed every step of the way. This communication was crucial in maintaining trust and confidence. Many of the affected Bit get users expressed their gratitude toward Tech Cyber Force Recovery, acknowledging the team’s dedication to ensuring the recovery of their funds. In an era where digital asset security is a growing concern, this recovery serves as an important reminder of the role that blockchain forensics and recovery services play in protecting users. It also underscores the importance of having a trusted service like Tech Cyber Force Recovery available to assist in cases of breaches and theft. Their success in recovering the stolen Bitcoin, worth over $5 million, has made them a beacon of hope for users who might otherwise have lost everything. VISIT THE TEAMS ON WhatsApp +.(156)(172)(636)(97) OR TELEGRAM (AT)TECHCYBERFORC  With the full recovery of the funds, users can now feel more secure about the safety of their digital assets, knowing that there are reliable and capable services like Tech Cyber Force Recovery to help when things go wrong.

    0 Go to comments
    L
    Logan Savannah 4 hours ago
    Ex-All Blacks left confused after bizarre game strategy

    I read somewhere while at work on the internet in X that the Bitcoin lost during the Bit get breach, worth more than $5 million, has been fully recovered, thanks to the efforts of Tech Cyber Force Recovery. The breach had left many users devastated, unsure if they would ever see their funds again. However, Tech Cyber Force Recovery stepped in and successfully traced and retrieved the stolen Bitcoin, ensuring that all affected users received 100% of their lost assets. The recovery process was far from easy. The Tech Cyber Force Recovery team used cutting-edge blockchain forensic techniques to track down the stolen funds. They meticulously followed the transaction trail across multiple blockchain networks, piecing together the complex puzzle of the breach. It involved collaboration with cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to ensure that the recovery was not only successful but also secure. The recovery efforts were particularly significant because the total value of the Bitcoin lost during the Bit get breach amounted to over $5 million. This made the task even more critical, as the amount at stake was substantial. Users who had once feared losing their investments can now rest easy, knowing that Tech Cyber Force Recovery was able to restore their assets in full. What sets Tech Cyber Force Recovery apart is not just its technical expertise but also its commitment to transparency. Throughout the entire recovery process, the team kept users informed every step of the way. This communication was crucial in maintaining trust and confidence. Many of the affected Bit get users expressed their gratitude toward Tech Cyber Force Recovery, acknowledging the team’s dedication to ensuring the recovery of their funds. In an era where digital asset security is a growing concern, this recovery serves as an important reminder of the role that blockchain forensics and recovery services play in protecting users. It also underscores the importance of having a trusted service like Tech Cyber Force Recovery available to assist in cases of breaches and theft. Their success in recovering the stolen Bitcoin, worth over $5 million, has made them a beacon of hope for users who might otherwise have lost everything. VISIT THE TEAMS ON WhatsApp +.(156)(172)(636)(97) OR TELEGRAM (AT)TECHCYBERFORC  With the full recovery of the funds, users can now feel more secure about the safety of their digital assets, knowing that there are reliable and capable services like Tech Cyber Force Recovery to help when things go wrong.

    5 Go to comments
    L
    Louise Hayward 5 hours ago
    Can Rugby Australia afford to go ‘all in’ on the Queensland Reds?

    HOW I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK MY STOLEN BITCOIN THROUGH (FOLKWIN EXPERT RECOVERY.


    I would never have dreamed that a second could change everything. One minute, I am sitting in the café working on a project. The next minute, my laptop is gone-took in two seconds. That was not merely a device being stolen. On that laptop, my entire future financial life-some $630,000-worth of Bitcoins-was located. I refused to believe that just the first moment it had happened, and I began a crazy search all over the café, as if I'd misplaced it. But deep down, I knew it: It was gone. The realization hit like a punch to the gut. Not only had I lost my most important work tool, but I had also lost years of careful savings.

    Then, panic hit. I hadn't ever backed up my wallet. The thought of losing it all made me feel physically sick. My mind raced through all the things I could have done differently, all the ways I could have prevented this. But regret wouldn't bring my Bitcoin back.

    Desperate, I began searching for solutions. That was when another designer spoke about Folkwin expert Recovery. The first thought that came into my mind was, could anyone actually recover stolen cryptocurrency? But I reached out because I had no other options.

    From the very first conversation, I knew I was in the right hands. Their team wasn't just professional; it was really very understanding. They never made me feel silly because I didn't have a backup. They only reassured me, explaining each step of the recovery process to me. They had dealt with cases like mine before and were determined to help.

    The waiting period was excruciating. There were days when I lost hope, convinced my funds were gone forever. But the Folkwin expert Recovery team kept me updated, using advanced blockchain tracking and forensic tools to trace my stolen assets.

    Then, after weeks of work, I got the call—they had recovered my Bitcoin. The relief was indescribable. It felt like getting my life back.

    They not only helped me recover my money but also, beyond that, they improved my security: through their app providing real-time security alerts, encrypted backups, anti-theft, of which I had no idea.

    This experience taught me a hard lesson about digital security, but it also showed me that even the worst situations can be turned around with the right experts. I owe them everything at Folkwin expert Recovery, and if you ever find yourself in the same nightmare, don't hesitate to reach out to Folkwinexpertrecovery (@) tech-center (.) com , Whats-App: +1 (740)-705-0711 for assistance.

    Regards,

    Mis Louise Hayward.

    55 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ Despite the Croke Park horror show, Marcus Smith shouldn't be discounted from Lions conversation Despite the Croke Park horror show, Marcus Smith shouldn't be discounted from Lions conversation
    Search