Two teams dreaming of playing in a first Rugby World Cup are to make history this year. Brazil is to face Kenya in June in an international test match, doing so in Macapá city located in Amapá state.
It is to be the first time that the northern Brazilian state of Amapá will play host to a rugby test match. The event called the ‘Cup of the Hemispheres’ will take place on June 18 with Brazil taking-on Kenya in a match putting together two countries that are joined by the Equator.
The match itself will be played at the Estádio Olímpico Zerão, a strategically selected venue for the purpose that the equator passes through the middle of the field, giving placing half of the field in the Northern Hemisphere and half in the Southern.
An official announcement is to be made today, Thursday April 27 by the Secretary of Sport in Macapá city and the CBRu. Secretary of Sport Edinoelson Trindade, told Globo Esporte “everything has been agreed upon but we have not yet determined the ticketing“.
Coming off participation in the Americas Rugby Championship and the South American A Championship Brazil is to be well prepared for Kenya. For the Africans the match is to serve as preparation for African competition against Namibia, Uganda and Zimbabwe in July.
In addition to facing Brazil Kenya is to confirm test matches against Hong Kong and either Belgium or Russia in June. The fixtures continue Kenya’s expanding network with the Africans having won against both Portugal and Spain in 2015.