Is Brazil Competitive in Rugby? Rankings, Recent Performance and Upcoming Fixtures

When you hear the name Brazil national rugby union team is the men’s side that represents Brazil in international rugby union competitions, you might picture football stadiums and carnival, but there’s a growing rugby culture fighting for a spot on the world stage.

Historical Snapshot of Rugby in Brazil

Rugby arrived in Brazil in the early 20th century, brought by British expatriates and Brazilian students returning from Europe. The sport stayed niche for decades, limited to expat clubs in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the Brazil Rugby Confederation (CBRu) formalised a national structure, launching a domestic league and youth programmes.

Since then, Brazil has competed in the South American Rugby Championship and, more recently, the Rugby Americas North Cup. Their first appearance at the Rugby World Cup came in 2019 when they qualified for the Sevens tournament, not the traditional 15‑a‑side competition.

Where Does Brazil Stand in the World Rankings?

World Rugby releases a monthly points‑based ranking that reflects recent results against similarly rated opponents. As of October2025, Brazil sits at Brazil rugby World Rugby Rankings position 28, trailing regional powerhouses Argentina (3) and Uruguay (17). This places them ahead of emerging nations like Chile (32) and Colombia (35). The climb from rank 45 in 2018 shows a steady improvement driven by better coaching, professional contracts, and a broader talent pool.

Key ranking factors include:

• Winning three of five matches in the 2024 South American Rugby Championship.
• Securing a historic win over Canada in a 2023 test match, earning bonus points.
• Consistent performances in the Rugby Americas North Cup, finishing second in the 2024 edition.

Performance in Major Tournaments

The most visible platform for Brazil has been the Rugby Sevens circuit. In the 2024 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, Brazil finished 12th overall, with a standout victory over Kenya in the London leg. Their 15‑a‑side side, however, has yet to qualify for a Rugby World Cup. The closest brush came in the 2023 qualification playoffs, where they lost a tight aggregate 30‑27 to Uruguay.

Recent results illustrate progress:

Key Players and Coaching Influence

Brazil’s rise is anchored by a blend of home‑grown talent and overseas experience. Veteran hooker Guilherme “Guga” Genta brings leadership from stints in the French ProD2, while wing Felipe “Fly” Santos epitomises the speed that suits the Brazilian style of open, running rugby.

Since 2021, the team has been guided by head coach Jorge “Jorge” Manini, a former Argentine Flanker turned strategist. Manini introduced a structured defensive system and a focus on set‑piece efficiency, resulting in a reduced penalty count (averaging 6 per match versus 12 in 2019).

Regional Comparison: Brazil vs Argentina & Uruguay

Argentina remains the dominant force in South America, consistently ranked in the top‑five and a regular Rugby World Cup contender. Uruguay, while smaller, boasts a more established 15‑a‑side program and qualified for the 2023 World Cup.

Below is a quick side‑by‑side comparison:

Brazil trails the top two, but the gap is narrowing. The difference in ranking points between Brazil (28) and Uruguay (17) is roughly 15 points - a margin achievable with another two‑win streak against Tier‑2 opponents.

Upcoming Fixtures and What to Watch For

Looking ahead, Brazil’s calendar is packed with opportunities to climb higher:

1. June2025 - South American Rugby Championship: Brazil hosts Chile and Paraguay. A win against both could secure the title for the first time since 2019.
2. July2025 - Rugby Americas North Cup against Canada and USA (away). Strong performances here could boost ranking points substantially.
3. October2025 - Friendly series in Europe, featuring matches against Georgia and Romania, offering exposure to higher‑pace opposition.

Key moments to monitor include the line‑out success rate (currently 84%) and the conversion accuracy of kicker Lucas Almeida, who sits at 68% this season.

Challenges and Growth Opportunities

Despite progress, Brazil faces structural hurdles:

• Funding: Rugby still receives a fraction of the budget allocated to football, limiting professional contracts.
• Grassroots Reach: While school programmes have grown to 150 institutions, many regions remain untouched.
• Depth of Talent: The player pool is roughly 4,000 senior men, far fewer than neighboring Uruguay’s 7,500.

Opportunities lie in leveraging the country’s love for sport and its robust university system. Partnerships with European clubs have already produced scholarship pathways for promising athletes, a model likely to expand over the next five years.

How Fans Can Follow Brazil’s Journey

Support the squad by tuning into broadcasts on RedeTV! for domestic games and streaming via the official World Rugby app for international fixtures. Social media channels - Instagram @brazillrugby and Twitter @BRU_Rugby - provide behind‑the‑scenes content, live updates, and player interviews.

Joining local fan clubs in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro offers a communal way to watch matches, share jerseys, and learn the chants that blend rugby grit with Brazilian flair.