Uganda/South Africa: Lady Cranes Through to the Semis, Face South Africa

By Swaib Raul Kanyike

Rugby — To any rugby fan, the prospect of Uganda facing South Africa is more of the proverbial punching above your weight. But for Lady Cranes 7s coach Helen Koyokoyo Buteme and her players; this is the best moment to dare to dream.

At the ongoing Rugby Afrique 7s tournament in Harare, Zimbabwe, the Lady Cranes kicked off their campaign with a two-game winning run against Madagascar and Tunisia earlier today.

In the opening match, Uganda rallied from a 10-00 halftime deficit to down the Malagasy 12-10. Youngster Grace Auma and veteran Charlotte Thereza Mudoola touched down, with Samiya Ayikoru converting once.

The second game saw Uganda go down 07-05 at halftime against Tunisia. However, the Lady Cranes' fighting character again came to the fore, and they ended up winning 17-12 with Auma scoring two tries and captain Emmanuela Oroma one. Ayikoru converted one, again.

With Uganda going into the last group game flying high, Kenya came with a party spoiler's instinct and inflicted a 36-05 loss. Auma again stood out with Uganda's lone try. Nonetheless, Uganda qualified to the semi-finals, where they will face tournament favorites, South Africa, tomorrow.

Reality check

South Africa's Lady Blitz Bokke are the clear favorites and will surely give Uganda the ultimate test. Buteme, who faced South Africa a couple of times during her playing career, will have to dig deep into her motivational talk reservoirs to lift her players' spirits.

As the two teams face off, the odds are clearly against Uganda. But still, it was the same story seven years ago when, against all odds, Uganda qualified for the 7s World Cup in Dubai alongside South Africa.

Mudoola, Brenda Violet Kayiyi and Harriet Kayonjo were part of that history setting team in 2009. Tomorrow, they will need to stand up and be counted.

The two finalists from this tournament proceed to the HSBC World Series, from which the best performing sides earn a shot at the 2018 Rugby World Cup in USA.

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