National rugby side are counting on home advantage to take one of the two spots up for grabs at the 2016 Rio Olympics mens 7s pre-qualifiers-south to be hosted in Kigali on July 25. The Silverbacks will be up against five countries including Mauritius, Zambia, Burundi, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rwanda Rugby Federation (RFF) president Alex Araire said that the countries have confirmed participation and arrive in the country today. Rwanda is pooled with the DRC and Mauritius. Mauritius present a challenge after posting respectable results against tougher teams in the Africa Cup 1B Division that was hosted in Uganda early this month, but team official John Baptiste Itanzi said the squad have the power, speed and size it takes for the 7s format. “I am positive we will make it out of the group stages,” said Itanzi. The team will rely on the experience gained from the Africa Cup 2D Division this month and the GFI Hong Kong 10s and the coaching services of Kevin Makmot, a Ugandan scrum-half who played for the Uganda Cranes in the Africa Cup Division. Botswana, Burundi and Zambia are in the other pool. Botswana are the favourites in this group and with Zambia already qualified, only two spots are up for contention by the five teams. The winner and runner up in the tournament will proceed to the final qualification tournament in South Africa in November. A provisional squad of 14 players was named but a final12-man squad will be named for the one-day tournament. Forwards Benjamin Makombe Akami, Jean de Dieu Hakizimana, Gerald Niyoneza, Patrick Kazungu, Emmanuel Nemeye, Jean Claude Mudaheranwa Backs Moise Habumugisha, Ismael Lucien Bikamba, Vincent Kamali, Pierre Niyoyita, Olivier Uwamahoro, Ombeni Iradukunda, Umuhire Victorien, Emmanuel Nduwayezu
