KAMPALA, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has stepped up preparations ahead of their two international rugby friendlies against South African side Barbarians.
Head coach Robert Seguya told Xinhua on Thursday that they are working hard because the two games against experienced players of the Barbarians team will give them a good test.
The Uganda Rugby Union (URU) confirmed that the two games will be played on April 28 and 30 at the Legends Club, Lugogo.
Ramzy Olinga, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) said the matches will be used to prepare the national 15s team ahead of the 2018 Africa Gold Cup which are also qualifiers for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The Barbarians is a select team of top players featuring for different clubs in the Rugby Premier League in South Africa.
"The Barbarians is a select side that consists of top South African players featuring for different teams in the national League," explained Olinga.
The six African teams that will contest in the 2018 Gold Cup and the final round of the African qualification for the World Cup are Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.
The winner will get automatic qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, while the second placed team will advance to the repechage tournament which will involve other teams that finish second also in their regions.