The 2017 Africa Gold Cup team of the tournament has been announced after the six-week tournament came to an end, with organisers naming three Ugandan utility players to the ‘Team of the Tournament’.
The six-nation tournament that had teams from Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Uganda, Kenya and Senegal participating, played home and away matches, with Rugby Cranes’ captain Brian Odongo, and playing brothers Phillip Wokorach and Michael Wokorach being named in the 2017 Africa Rugby Gold Cup team of the tournament. Phillip Wokorach was also named man of the match on two occasions, against Kenya and Tunisia.
The Rugby Cranes lost one game, drew one and won the rest of their games in the 2017 Rugby Africa Gold Cup competition, ending the campaign with a 38-12 victory over Zimbabwe in Kampala.
Champions Namibia dominate the ‘select’ team with eight players, Kenya with three while Zimbabwe got one player on the team. Tunisia and Senegal didn’t get any slot on the team.
Namibia were crowned champions after defeating Kenya 45-7 in Windhoek, going unbeaten in the competition and retaining the title for the fourth year in a row.
Uganda finished on level with Kenya Simbas in the third place on 16 points and will a have a chance to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in Japan when the Gold Cup returns next year in shape of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Gold Cup Team of the tournament:
Casper Viviers (Namibia), Louis van der Westhuizen (Namibia), Brian Odongo (Uganda) , Mahepisa Tjeriko (Namibia), Ruan Ludick (Namibia), Rohan Kitshoff (Namibia), Connor Pritchard (Zimbabwe), Joshua Chisanga (Kenya), Hilton Mudariki (Zimbabwe), Cliven Loubser (Namibia), David Philander (Namibia), JC Greyling (Namibia), Michael Wokorach (Uganda), Darwin Mukidza (Kenya), Philip Wokorach (Uganda)
