Madagascar national rugby union team

Madagascar

Nickname	Les Makis
Union	Fédération Malagasy de Rugby
Head coach	Berthin Rafalimanana
Captain	José Rakoto
Most caps	Gabriel Rajaonarison
Top scorer	José Rakoto
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current	46 (as of 17 March 2025)
Highest	43 (2023)
Lowest	51 (23 November 2020)
Biggest win
Madagascar 97-3 Zambia   (26 August 2006)
Biggest defeat
Namibia 112-0 Madagascar   (15 June 2002)
World Cup
Appearances	0

The Madagascar national rugby union team represents Madagascar in the sport of rugby union. Although rugby is popular in Madagascar, the country has not yet qualified for a Rugby World Cup. It does compete annually in the Africa Cup, and was runner-up to Uganda in 2007. The national team's nickname is the Malagasy name for the ring-tailed lemur.

Madagascar defeated Namibia 57 - 54 in extra-time to win Group 1B final match at the 2012 Africa Cup; they have now jumped up 14 places to their current 42nd rank. ^[1]

History

Madagascar played their first ever international rugby match in 1970, where they met Italy, losing 9 points to 17. The second of the series of two games was also won by Italy, 6 points to 9. The team got their first international win during 1987 when they defeated Kenya 22 to 16.

During 2001 Madagascar competed for the first time in the Africa qualification tournaments for the 2003 Rugby World Cup to be held in Australia. They started off in Pool B of Round 1, where they contested matches against Botswana and Swaziland. They won both their games and finished at the top of the pool to advance to the next round. In Round 2 they defeated Kenya and Cameroon to secure the top finish and advance to Round 3, which took place in 2002. Madagascar made their exit in Round 3, losing to Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Madagascar attempted to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. They started off in Pool 2 of Round 1b of the qualifying tournament, where they were grouped with Kenya and Uganda. After drawing with Kenya, they lost to Uganda and finished third in the standings. They were semi-finalists at the 2006 Africa Cup, and losing finalists in 2005 and 2007.

Madagascar also failed to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It is currently involved in the 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifyings. Madagascar was the surprise winner of the 2012 Africa Cup, defeating Namibia 57–54 in an historical final. In 2013 the Makis avoided relegation from the top flight of African rugby and remain in Division 1A of the Africa Cup for 2014, which will serve as the African qualification for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Madagascar wins serendib cup 2013 in Sri Lanka, beating Sri Lanka on a score of 17-12 and dominating Poland on 25–21 score, José Rakoto won the player of the tournament.

Squad

Madagascar squad for the 2014 Africa Cup. ^[2]

Backs Player Position Club Jacky Bayard Scrum-half 3FB Bienvenue Mananja Rasoa Scrum-half IRC José Rakoto (c) Fly-half 3FB Rakotoarivelo Benjaniaina Fly-half TFMA Rija Rakotoarimanana Centre 3FB Sidonie Rakotoarisoa Centre 3FB Randriananbinina Hajanirina Centre 3FB Rakotonirina Alain Wing 3FB Harinirina Jacquot Wing TAM Ralaimidona Hery Wing 3FB Razafindranaivo Bernard Full-back COSFA Rasoanaivo Herizo Full-back 3FB

Forwards Player Position Club Rakotomialoha Donald Hooker COSFA Andrianjaka Christian Hooker United States Rakotoarivelo Hasina Prop 3FB Randriamanantena Rodolphe Prop COSFA Razafindratsimba Anthony Prop 3FB Rabemananjara Jean Willy Prop UASC Tolotra Ramaromiantso Lock 3FB Claudio Ravelonomenjanahary Lock 3FB Rakotonirina Jean de Dieu Flanker UASC Rabearilala Toussaint Boniface Flanker IRC Rakotoson Mampionona Flanker United States Ravelomanantsoa Tiana Flanker TFMA Rakotoarisoa Herizo Number eight 3FB

Overall Record

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Madagascar national XV at test level up until 12 July 2021

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Draw	%	For	Aga	Diff
Botswana	4	4	0	0	100%	187	68	+119
Cambodia	1	1	0	0	100%	30	24	+6
Italy	2	0	2	0	0%	15	26	-11
Ivory Coast	3	3	0	0	100%	86	54	+32
Kenya	4	2	1	1	50%	73	94	-21
Morocco	4	1	3	0	25%	110	190	-80
Namibia	5	1	4	0	20%	94	362	-268
Nigeria	1	1	0	0	100%	63	3	+60
Réunion	12	11	1	0	91.67%	78	265	-187
South Africa Amateurs	3	2	1	0	66.67%	60	79	-19
Swaziland	1	1	0	0	100%	26	21	+5
Uganda	6	1	5	0	16.67%	125	204	-79
Zambia	3	2	1	0	66.67%	101	69	+32
Zimbabwe	7	2	5	0	28.57%	115	273	-158
Total	54	32	23	0	59.26%	1163	1698	-535

^[3]

World Cup Record

World Cup record								World Cup Qualification record
Year	Round	P	W	D	L	F	A	P	W	D	L	F	A
1987	Not invited							-
1991	did not enter							did not enter
1995
1999
2003	did not qualify							6	4	0	2	117	240
2007								2	0	1	1	38	42
2011								2	1	0	1	67	47
2015								7	3	0	4	190	332
2019								3	1	0	2	81	102
Total	0/9	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	9	1	10	493	763

See also

• Rugby union in Madagascar
• Madagascar national rugby sevens team

References

1. IRB (9 July 2012). "Madagascar climb rankings after shock win". Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
2. "Madagascar team". Madagascar Rugby Union. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
3. "Teams played by Madagascar". www.rugbydata.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.

External links

• Madagascar on IRB.com
• Madagascar International Statistics, Rugbydata