The national rugby team has been drawn against Zambia and Mauritius in Pool C for the 2017 Africa Rugby Cup, Group 1C, which is scheduled to start on March 24 and run through April 2 in Lusaka, Zambia.

Both teams are ranked above Rwanda, according to the latest World Rugby Rankings. Zambia is ranked 83rd and Mauritius are 89th, while Rwanda is far below in the 96th place globally.

"It’s a tough group for us because both Zambia and Mauritius are ahead of Rwanda in World Rugby ranking but we look forward to the challenge, hoping to do a good job,” said Rwanda Rugby Federation (RRF) secretary general, Tharcisse Kamanda.

Kamanda added that, "The national league will continue in order to give the national team coach the opportunity to select the best possible team. The final squad will be released on March 20.”

The Africa Cup 1C is the third competition of the Africa Cup 1st division. Only the winner is promoted in Group B. In the other groups, Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria are placed in Group North.

Meanwhile, the national championship will continue today with the Southern League when Kamonyi Puma battling Resilience RFC in Rusizi while Muhanga take on University of Rwanda-Huye Campus in Kabgayi.

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