Victoria, Elgon Cup set for grand return

The Uganda Rugby Union (URU) recently announced the highly anticipated return of the Victoria and Elgon Cup to the rugby calendar.

The fixtures released by the URU reveal that Uganda, Zambia, and Kenya are set to feature in the competition penciled for the Kings Park Arena and Kyadondo in Uganda.

This year's edition will feature a one-off face-off format and Barthes Cup defending champions Zimbabwe Sables will not make an appearance.

Kenya 15s national team; Simbas will arrive in Kampala on October 30 in readiness for their opening match against Zambia at Kyadondo on November 1.

Their neighbors Uganda Cranes will commence their journey by facing Zambia at King's Park Arena in Bweyogerere on October 28.

Kenya Simbas will take on their noisy neighbors Cranes on November 5 in what will be a clash of the ages. The clash will also serve as the first leg of the Elgon Cup.

Jerome Paarwater's charges will then travel back to Kenya for the return leg of the Elgon Cup set for November 11.

Both the Victoria and Elgon Cups will be making a grand return to the rugby scene for the first time since 2019.

The Lake Victoria 15s pre-season tournament is scheduled to commence on Saturday, October 21st, and will unfold over consecutive weekends, concluding on November 11th with the championship showdown at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo.

In the initial phase, eight teams will compete as they embark on the pre-quarterfinals. Shamberere and Kibabii University will vie for a chance to face defending champions Kabras Sugar in the quarterfinals, while Western Bulls will await the winner of the clash between Vihiga Granites and Sigalagala National Poly.

In another pre-quarterfinal match, Mbale will take on Kisii for the opportunity to secure a berth against last year’s beaten finals Masinde Muliro, and Bungoma will face Kitale, aiming to earn the right to play the hosts, Kisumu, in the quarterfinals.

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Lake Victoria 15s Pre-Quarterfinals – Saturday, October 21

Shamberere vs. Kibabiii University

Vihiga Granites vs. Sigalagala National Poly

Mbale vs. Kisii

Bungoma vs. Kitale

Quarterfinals – Saturday, October 28

Kabras Sugar vs. Winner of Pre-Quarterfinal 1

Western Bulls vs. Winner of Pre-Quarterfinal 2

Masinde Muliro vs. Winner of Pre-Quarterfinal 3

Kisumu vs. Winner of Pre-Quarterfinal 4