The Africa Rugby World Cup qualifiers will be played in France next year, it has been confirmed.
Rugby Africa through a statement said that it settled on France because it was also going to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
“The Executive Committee settled on France, who are going to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 as the hosts of the qualifiers."
"The well-being, health and safety of the players remain at the heart of the priorities. France 2023 (in charge of organising Rugby World Cup 2023) promises to host a tournament of the highest international standards, whether it is the match stadium, hotels, security measures, health standards relating to Covid-19 or medical infrastructure available.
It added: “With a long tradition of hosting Rugby Africa tournaments and activities, France and Rugby Africa are already in a close collaboration process which will provide the eight competing teams with an exceptional tournament and ideal hosting conditions to concentrate on a single goal, win the final match and qualify directly for Rugby World Cup 2023, which will also take place in France."
The knockout tournament will take place in the first half of July 2022 with four countries that participated in the Rugby Africa Cup 2021 quarter finals set to battle out for the World Cup slots.
Namibia, who have represented the continent alongside South Africa for the past six editions since 1999, face Burkina Faso while Zimbabwe who played at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 and 1991 meet Ivory Coast. Senegal will take on Algeria as Kenya face Uganda in an East African derby.
The winner of the qualifier will slot into Pool 'A' of the Rugby World Cup 2023 where hosts France, three-time champions New Zealand, Italy and the Americas 1 qualifier await.
The runner-up will have to make do with a place in the Final Qualification Tournament to make one final attempt to qualify for the World Cup.