Kenya thrash Madagascar in Women’s Rugby Africa Cup opener

Kenya Lionesses made a dream start in their pursuit for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup after humbling hosts Madagascar 28-5 in their opening match played on Saturday at Stade Makis in Antananarivo.

Phoebe Akinyi, Faith Livoi, Stellah Wafula and Sinaida Mokaya all crossed over the white wash in the revenge win. Madagascar stunned Kenya 29-22 last year during the 2025 Rugby World Cup qualifiers that South Africa won.

In the match, Kenya took the lead through Phoebe Akinyi’s try, which was converted by Sinaida Mokaya for a 7-0 lead.

The Lady Makis responded with an unconverted try but Faith Livoi’s corner post try saw Kenya held on to a 12-5 lead heading into halftime.

In the final half, Kenya picked form where they left but this time off Grace Okulu’s boots as the fly half split the posts with a well taken penalty to stretch the lead to 15-5.

Okulu returned to haunt the Lady Makis with a clever drop goal that gave the East Africans an 18-5 lead before Stella Wafula added an unconverted try that pushed the scores further to 23-5.

Mokaya sealed the win with another unconverted try.

Madagascar will seek redemption against Uganda on Wednesday after Kenya has played South Africa.

Acting as the qualifiers for the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup to be hosted in Australia, Kenya needs to win the round robin competition that also involves defending champions South Africa and Uganda to make it to the global final.

To make it to the World Cup, Lionesses who are coached by Simon Odongo must now beat South Africa Women Springboks on Wednesday.

South Africa and Kenya Lionesses are currently level on five points each, but South Africa tops the table on a superior points difference of 55 points.

The Springbok Women scored 62 points and conceded only 7 following a 62-7 victory over Uganda in their opening match.

Kenya sit second with a 23-point difference after a 28-5 win in their opener against hosts Madagascar.

Madagascar and Uganda occupy third and fourth positions, respectively, with 0 points, having suffered defeats in their opening matches.