The 2024 Rwanda Rugby National League season concluded with thrilling matches in both the men’s and women’s 15-aside competitions. The league, which commenced on March 23, 2024, featured four women’s teams and nine men’s teams divided into two groups, A and B, competing in a single round-robin format during the group stages.

Men’s Group A:

1. Lions De Fer RFC

2. Kigali Sharks RFC

3. Rwamagana Hippos RFC

4. Kamonyi Puma RFC

5. Burera Tigers RFC

Men’s Group B:

1. Resilience RFC

2. Gitisi TSS

3. UR Grizzlies RFC

Women’s Teams:

GROUP A:

1. Kamonyi Panthers RFC

2. UR Rukara Women RFC

GROUP B:

1. Ruhango Zebras Women RFC

2. Resilience Women RFC

Women’s League:

Two women’s teams advanced to the final: Ruhango Zebras Women RFC, who defeated Resilience Women RFC 34-00, and Kamonyi Panthers RFC, who advanced after a walkover victory against UR Rukara Women RFC, 28-00.

The national league finals were held on June 16, 2024, at Camp Kigali playground in Nyarugenge. The results were as follows:

– 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Ruhango Zebras Women RFC vs. Kamonyi Panthers RFC. Ruhango Zebras Women RFC emerged as champions with a decisive 41-11 victory. Pascaline Uwicyeza from Ruhango Zebras Women RFC was named MVP of the 2024 season.

– 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm: The men’s second runner-up match saw Kigali Sharks RFC defeat Gitisi TSS with a score of 17-13, securing the runner-up position for Kigali Sharks RFC.

– 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: The men’s final match featured Lions De Fer RFC against Resilience RFC. Lions De Fer RFC triumphed with a 30-11 victory, deciding the champion. Kanyamahanga Donat from Lions De Fer RFC was named the 2024 MVP.

President Kamanda, speaking to the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, expressed his gratitude for the well-organized national league. He highlighted the increasing number of clubs, particularly in the women’s division. This season marked the inaugural women’s 15s national league, and he encouraged more women’s clubs to participate in future seasons. President Kamanda expressed optimism about the potential for strong national teams for both men and women.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rwanda Rugby Federation (RRF).

Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Renfred Dazel invited a group of 17 players to a Paris 2024 Olympic Games  preparation camp in Potchefstroom, with the squad assembling on Monday.

The group includes all 13 players that travelled to Madrid for the final HSBC SVNS tournament last month, as well as Zandile Masuku, Shona-Leah Weston, Marlize de Bruin, as well as Shannon-Lee Windvogel, who is the only player without HSBC SVNS experience.

The two-week camp will guarrantee high altitude training and firm surfaces, which according to Dazel ,are two vital elements in their preparation.

“There are a few of reasons for deciding to host the camp at the Potchefstroom Sports Village,” said Dazel. “We’ve held camps there in the past and I was impressed with the facilities available. The fact that we will train at altitude and on fast surfaces will be great. With the fields in Stellenbosch being wet, this allows us to train on ideal pitches.

“A change of scenary will also be helpful.”

Dazel added: “We’ve been together in Stellenbosch since last year, so going to Potchefstroom will also perk up the players a bit. This is an exciting time for all of them, although sadly, only 14 will be able to travel to France for the Games.”

The Olympic regulations state that only 12 players will be allowed to stay in the Olympic Village, with the other two players set to stay with a dedicated management member elsewhere in Paris.

“There will be one or two disappointed players who will miss out, but unfortunately that’s life,” said Dazel. “The players have a wonderful opportunity to go to the Olympics for the first time ever, and everyone is keen to make the most of it.”

The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad for Potchefstroom:

Ayanda Malinga,  Byrhandrè Dolf, Kemisetso Baloyi, Shannon-Lee Windvogel, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Liske Lategan, Maria Tshiremba, Marlize de Bruin, Mathrin Simmers, Nadine Roos, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Shona-Leah Weston, Sizo Solontsi, Veroeshka Grain, Zandile Masuku, Zintle Mpupha, Eloise Webb.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.

For further information, please contact:
Andy Colquhoun
GM: Communications and Commercial
+27 (0) 21 928 7010
+27 (0) 82 926 0789
andyc@sarugby.co.za

De Jongh Borchardt
Communications Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7021
+27 (0) 82 999 9979
dejonghb@sarugby.co.za

Rayaan Adriaanse
Junior Rugby Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7013
+27 (0) 82 999 0022
rayaan@sarugby.co.za

Sindiswa Ximba
Media Operations Coordinator
+27 (0) 21 928 7011
+27 (0) 60 504 1069
sindiswa.ximba@sarugby.co.za

Zeena Isaacs
Springbok Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7020
+27 (0) 82 357 3112
ZeenaI@sarugby.co.za

JJ Harmse
Sevens and Women’s Rugby Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7014
+27 (0) 71 480 4570
jjharmse@sarugby.co.za

On June 17, 2024, His Excellency Wu Peng, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of South Africa, arrived in South Africa to assume office and delivered written remarks at the airport. He was welcomed by Ms. Yoliswa Mvebe, the representative of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa and Acting Chief Director of Directorate: East Asia and Oceania, among others.

Wu expressed his great pleasure to come to the beautiful Rainbow Nation to serve as the 7th Chinese Ambassador to South Africa. He also expressed his heartfelt thanks and sincere respect to friends from all walks of life who have long cared about and supported the development of China-South Africa relations.

Wu said that even though China and South Africa are geographically far apart, the two countries enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges and a special bond of “camaraderie plus brotherhood.” In more recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has witnessed steady and speedy development, setting a fine example for China-Africa and South-South cooperation. In August 2023, President Xi Jinping’s state visit to South Africa and participation in the 15th BRICS Summit propelled the relations into a “golden era,” starting a new chapter of building a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future.

Wu pointed out that the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. China and South Africa are both major developing countries and members of the Global South. Under the new circumstances, China and South Africa’s relationship has transcended bilateral boundaries and now has strategic significance and global impact. China attaches great importance to the development of China-South Africa relations, and is ready to work with South Africa to carry forward friendship, deepen cooperation and seek common development, so as to harvest more “golden fruits” in the “golden era” and bring greater benefits to the two countries and peoples.

Wu noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and South Africa has just successfully held its general election. A new summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing this year. Wu said it was his great honour to assume office in this moment, and with the honour came heavy responsibilities. He looks forward to working with the South African government and all sectors of society, to act on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, strengthen contact and communication, enhance understanding and cooperation, and take the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height. The Chinese Embassy in South Africa will continue to provide services and protection for overseas Chinese, staff members of Chinese-invested organizations and Chinese students in South Africa.

Ms. Yoliswa Mvebe welcomed Ambassador-designate Wu Peng on behalf of the South African side. She said South Africa is ready to provide facilitation for his assuming office, and will work with China to deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and drive greater development of the bilateral relations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of South Africa.

The President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Iceland on the occasion commemorating the National Day of that country on June 17, 2024. According to a Foreign Ministry release, in his message to H.E. Guoni Th. Johannesson, President of the Republic of Iceland, President Boakai extended warm congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in his own name.

The Liberian leader also conveyed sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Iceland for their continuous support to the fishery industry which has contributed immensely to the economic growth and development of the country. He prayed that the bilateral relations between the two countries will grow from strength to strength for the mutual benefit of the two nations and peoples. 

President Boakai further hoped that the mutual collaboration will explore to new avenues to further cement their partnership in areas such as agriculture, education, tourism, sanitation, international peace, security and justice. He then wished President Johannesson continued good health and happiness, and for the people of Iceland, renewed progress and prosperity. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.