How Good Is Brazil at Rugby? Breaking Down the Nation’s Progress and Fixtures

Brazil isn’t the first place that pops to mind when you think of rugby giants. But if you peek into their progress, the story’s more interesting than you’d guess. Rugby in Brazil has always played second fiddle to football, but in recent years, things have started to change.

Don’t expect to see them winning a Rugby World Cup anytime soon, but they’ve definitely moved up from being just a sideshow. The national team, nicknamed the Tupis, has managed to shake off its early underdog status and now sits firmly in the mix within South America. Fixtures against neighbors like Argentina and Uruguay have become big dates on their calendar—usually tough matches, but never rollovers anymore.

If you’re checking the fixtures and planning to catch a Brazil rugby match, you’re in for a scrappy, determined side that keeps surprising people. There’s real passion, a growing domestic league, and every year, a few new names make waves on the squad. Paying attention to Brazil right now isn’t just for die-hard fans. It’s where you spot the next rugby upset before the rest of the world catches on.

• Brazil’s Start in Rugby
• How the National Team Ranks
• Challenges in Growing the Game
• Key Fixtures and Rivalries
• Standout Players to Know
• Why Watch Brazil Rugby Matches

Brazil’s Start in Rugby

If you’re new to Brazil rugby, you might be surprised to hear it’s been kicking around for over a century. The game first landed in Brazil in the late 1800s, thanks to British immigrants who brought rugby along as a slice of home. But right from the start, football outshined rugby by a mile, making progress a slow climb for the sport.

By 1925, Brazil formed its first national rugby team, but the whole local scene ran at a pretty amateur level for decades. Tournaments were mostly regional, and international matches for Brazil were rare. Rugby just didn’t have the spotlight.

Jump ahead to the 21st century—that’s when things really began to shift. The Brazil rugby union got serious, setting up structured leagues and pushing for more recognition. Hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio was a huge deal; rugby sevens got a taste of mainstream attention, inspiring new players and fans. The Tupis started showing up on more fixture lists, slowly earning respect across South America.

Here’s a quick table that sums up some turning points for Brazil’s rugby scene:

So, while Brazil’s rugby story started quietly, it’s grown roots—and these days there’s no turning back. The base is there. Now the focus is on getting more people watching, playing, and putting Brazil’s name in more international rugby fixtures.

How the National Team Ranks

If you’re sizing up Brazil’s rugby team, you’ll notice they’re not remotely in the same league as the All Blacks or Springboks. On the Brazil rugby world stage, they float between 25th and 35th in the World Rugby Rankings most years. Not amazing, but miles ahead of where they were fifteen years ago.

Just ten years back, Brazil struggled to break the top 40. Since then, the Tupis have climbed steadily, thanks to better coaching, serious youth programs, and – no joke – some players who learned the game from scratch. When you look at rugby fixtures against South American teams, Brazil regularly puts up a fight against Chile, Paraguay, and Colombia. Clashes with Uruguay and the Argentina XV are usually tough, but the gap isn’t as huge as people think.

Here’s a quick peek at some recent rankings and results. Notice the progress – it’s not a fluke:

Another wild fact: in 2016, Brazil shocked everyone by beating the USA Eagles 24–23, which nobody saw coming. That result did more for the image of Brazil rugby than years of grinding in the shadows.

So, if you’re keeping track of rugby teams to watch, Brazil’s not world-class yet, but they’re definitely past the days of easy blowout losses. Their climb in the rankings isn’t just random luck—it comes from real work on and off the field.

Challenges in Growing the Game

Trying to push Brazil rugby up the sports ladder isn’t easy. Brazilians live and breathe football, so rugby’s fighting for attention from the get-go. Most kids dream of playing soccer for Flamengo, not lining up for a scrum. So finding young talent who’ll stick with rugby is a real hurdle.

Money’s another headache. The big sponsors go straight to football or sometimes volleyball. The Brazilian Rugby Confederation doesn’t have the same deep pockets as, say, the Argentina Rugby Union. The Tupis rely a lot on government grants, a handful of dedicated sponsors, and the passion of the rugby community to keep things running.

Facilities can be a problem too. Top rugby countries have dedicated pitches and high-class gyms. Many Brazilian clubs play on basic fields, sometimes even sharing with soccer teams. There’s been progress for national matches (especially after rugby featured in the Rio 2016 Olympics), but regular training still happens on patchy grass more times than not.

If you look at the numbers, it’s clear rugby’s got ground to make up.

Another thing—there’s not a deep pool of experienced coaches. Many clubs rely on volunteers, sometimes ex-players who learned the game as adults. It’s not like England or New Zealand, where you’ll bump into retired pros coaching under-14s.

The good news? Interest is growing, especially with Brazil playing more regular rugby fixtures in South America. Programs like “Rugby para Todos” (Rugby for All) are reaching kids in tough neighborhoods, giving the sport a shot at breaking into new communities. It’s slow, but each year the numbers creep up.

Key Fixtures and Rivalries

If you want to know how good Brazil rugby really is, you’ve got to look at the games that matter most: their key fixtures and fiercest rivals. One thing’s clear—when Brazil faces Argentina, it’s a test of guts more than skill. The Argentinians (especially their second team, Argentina XV) have been the top dogs in South America for decades, and every meeting is a measuring stick for Brazil. In 2018, when Brazil pulled off a 36–33 win against Argentina XV in the Americas Rugby Championship, jaws dropped. It was headline stuff because Brazil had never beaten them before.

Uruguay is another team that keeps Brazil honest. These games are usually close, and you can tell both sides want it badly. Uruguay tends to edge Brazil out more often, but the scorelines are getting tighter. Brazil’s win over Uruguay in 2016 (24–21) still gets fans talking because it showed the team’s grit under pressure.

Other regular opponents include Chile and Paraguay—they all meet in tournaments like the South American Rugby Championship and the Americas Rugby Trophy. If you’re looking for emerging rivalries, consider Colombia and even the USA. Brazil’s steady improvements have made matches against these sides a solid watch, especially since both teams are often neck-and-neck in the rugby fixtures calendar.

Bigger events to mark? Check the Sudamérica Rugby calendar every year. Brazil’s fixture list usually includes:

• Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) – where they face Argentina XV, USA, Uruguay, and Chile.
• South American Rugby Championship – traditional regional competition.
• Occasional Rugby World Cup qualifiers – huge for ranking points and experience.

You might find it interesting that since the ARC started in 2016, Brazil’s home record improved. Their biggest crowds turn out for big rivals like Argentina and Uruguay, with some matches drawing over 10,000 fans.

Bottom line: If you’re picking out Brazil rugby games to watch, check those rivalry fixtures. Upsets happen, and the energy is always high. You never really know when the next headline-making win will come.

Standout Players to Know

If you want to get a sense of how Brazil rugby is catching up, just look at the guys pulling on the national shirt right now. The Tupis have built a squad with guts, a few seasoned internationals, and some wildcard players who’ve made headlines on the South American stage.

One of the best-known faces is Lucas Duque. The man has been around for years, earns respect from teammates and rivals, and captained the side through some of its toughest battles. His brother, Moisés Duque, is another name rugby fans recognize. Both play center and have clocked up loads of appearances, becoming the backbone of Brazil’s backline. Moisés, by the way, kicked the winning penalty against the USA in 2016—a massive upset that had everyone talking.

Wennex Feitosa is a forward to watch. He’s big, physical, and relentless at the breakdown. Another fan favorite is Jardel Vettorato, a prop who draws plenty of attention for his scrummaging strength and leadership up front. These guys help the Tupis hold their own against the rough-and-tumble packs from South American rugby rivals.

Brazil’s also banking on fresh faces. Felipe Sancery, born in France but raised in Brazil, is one of the more creative backs. He’s great at making gaps out wide and brings a bit of European polish to the squad. His twin brother, Daniel Sancery, lines up on the wing or at fullback and is known for quick breaks and fast hands.

If you’re scanning rugby fixtures to catch Brazil in action, these are usually the names who’ll pop on the team sheet. Here’s a quick look at a few recent stats and appearances by some of these key players:

Don’t forget that while Brazil isn’t packed with big global names (yet), their regulars are seasoned and hungry to prove a point every time they take the field. Watch these players when you follow Brazil’s next fixture—they’re the ones shaping the team’s progress right now.

Why Watch Brazil Rugby Matches

Brazil rugby games are way more entertaining than most folks think. Forget what you know about the big-name teams—these matches bring raw energy and plenty of surprises. Brazil’s style is all about never backing down, which means even when they’re up against stronger squads, they play until the final whistle. That’s a big part of what makes their fixtures worth your time.

If you’re new to Brazil rugby, here’s what to expect: the Tupis are physical, fast, and not afraid to take risks. Their matches often feature quick tries, big tackles, and real grit. There’s less of the stop-start, tactical stuff you might see from European teams, and more playing on instinct, which keeps things fun and unpredictable. The atmosphere in their home matches—especially in cities like São Paulo—is loud and full-on, even if you’re only catching the action through a stream.

Another reason to tune in? The rivals are legit. Brazil faces off against South American neighbors like Uruguay and Chile in the Americas Rugby Championship, and honestly, those head-to-heads get intense. In 2016, Brazil stunned the rugby world by beating the USA 24-23—a major upset that put them on the map. Since then, they’ve earned respect as the team nobody should underestimate.

Want the numbers? Brazil’s best World Rugby ranking so far has been around 24th, which isn’t mind-blowing, but for a country where rugby was almost unknown a generation ago, it’s a big leap. Here’s a quick snapshot of some recent notable results:

There’s also the local talent angle. Several Brazilian players have started to play pro rugby in places like France and Portugal. Watching a Tupi match now lets you spot players who might end up making a name for themselves overseas.

• If you want unpredictable matchups, Brazil delivers.
• Looking for real underdog stories? This team has them in spades.
• Curious about how rugby is growing in new regions? Brazil’s progress is proof.
• And if you just want to watch a good, hard-fought game, few teams leave it all on the field quite like these guys.

Don’t sleep on Brazil’s rugby fixtures—they might just surprise you with the action.