Cranes overcome South African Police in friendly

Cheetahs U-23 38 Uganda 12

Bloemfontein Police 22 Uganda 24

The Rugby Cranes on Friday evening put up a spirited fight beating their hosts Bloemfontein Police 24-22 in a bruising encounter in South Africa. 

The win gave coach Robert Sseguya a ray of hope despite losing to Cheetahs U-23s that his charges can repeat their exploits from 2007 when the Rugby Cranes shocked Namibia with 20-19 to win the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) tournament.

"There was a lot of negative talk on the team not knowing what was in camp and what the team was going through, but today's win is a morale boost to the team," Sseguya told New Vision on Friday night after the game.

"These boys are fighting for the nation and it is high time we put aside the past results and support the boys in this game which is more crucial," Sseguya added.

Cranes have been at Cheetahs Rugby Club in Free State for a 10-day training camp and will return on Monday to focus on the Rugby Africa 1A opening game against Namibia.

They play Namibia on July 2, before facing Zimbabwe in Harare on July 16 and climax the campaign against Kenya in Nairobi on July 30 in a game that will also double as the Elgon Cup return leg.