Madagascar national rugby union team

Madagascar
Nickname(s)	Les Makis
Union	Fédération Malagasy de Rugby
Head coach	Berthin Rafalimanana
Captain	José Rakoto
Most caps	Gabriel Rajaonarison
Top scorer	José Rakoto
	First colours
	First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current	43 (as of 20 March 2023)
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

References

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