By Paul Osborne

Kenya is on the verge of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time ©Getty ImagesKenya is on the verge of qualifying for its first ever Rugby World Cup after maintaining its winning run in the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Africa Cup Division 1A qualifying tournament in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The Kenyans had opened the qualifying tournament with a surprise 29-22 victory over Namibia.

Namibia has qualified as Africa's second representative for each Rugby World Cup since 1999, with South Africa the continent's first representative.

Following its opening victory on Saturday (June 28), Kenya recorded a bonus point 34-0 win over Madagascar to open up a four-point lead over Zimbabwe at the top of the table with one round remaining.

Namibia recovered from its loss to Kenya to seal a 24-20 victory over Zimbabwe and keep alive its chances of qualifying for its fifth straight Rugby World Cup.

The team sits one point behind Zimbabwe on five points and needs to take maximum points against Madagascar in its final group match, while hoping Zimbabwe beats Kenya with neither side picking up a bonus point in the process.

Bonus points are awarded for a team scoring four or more tries or for losing within seven points.

If this scenario were to occur, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Namibia would be level on 10 points with points difference then taking care of who finishes top and qualifies for England 2015 as Africa 1 and who finishes second and enters the repechage.

Kenya beat Madagascar 34-0 to maintain its 100 per cent record at the Africa Cup Division 1A Rugby World Cup 2015 qualifying tournament ©IRBKenya beat Madagascar 34-0 to maintain its 100 per cent record at the Africa Cup Division 1A Rugby World Cup 2015 qualifying tournament ©IRB



The repechage will see four teams, one from each nation excluding Oceania, compete for a final spot in the Rugby World Cup.

For the semi-finals, a single match will be played at the ground of the higher ranked team as per the International Rugby Board (IRB) ranking.

The final will be played on a two-match home and away basis, and the team with the higher aggregate score will be the 20th and final team at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The final round of matches on Sunday (July 6) will coincide with the arrival of the Webb Ellis Cup in Antananarivo as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.

The Tour, run in partnership with Land Rover and DHL, will feature school and club visits, United Nations World Food Programme activation and the IRB's Get Into Rugby programme, which has been responsible for more than 500,000 boys and girls taking up the sport since its launch in 2013.

"Rugby in Africa is thriving," said IRB vice-chairman Oregan Hoskins.

"More men, women and children now play the game on the vast continent, and no place better embodies the sheer passion of African rugby than Madagascar."

Abdelaziz Bougja, President of CAR, added: "We are proud that the rugby world is focused on African rugby as we look set to confirm our representative to Rugby World Cup 2015.

"The standard of rugby in this great continent continues to grow, along with participation, and the compelling nature of this tournament is certainly a reflection of that growth.

"We are set for a fantastic final round of matches."

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