Stanbic Black Pirates are one step away from successfully defending their National Rugby Premiership title after overcoming arch-rivals Heathens to secure a place in a historic third consecutive playoff final.
The Pirates progressed with a 36-30 aggregate victory over Heathens across the two-legged semifinal, maintaining their remarkable record of appearing in every playoff final since the return of the knockout format in 2024.
Having lost the inaugural playoff final to Heathens before defeating Jinja Hippos in a dramatic extra-time encounter last season, the Pirates now have the opportunity to become the first team in the current playoff era to win back-to-back league titles.
Their latest triumph was built on a disciplined and determined team effort across both legs. Eric Mulamula inspired the Pirates to a crucial 15-3 first-leg victory at Kyadondo Rugby Club, while Timothy Kisiga delivered a standout performance in the return leg at Kings Park Arena.
Kisiga showcased his versatility throughout the match, starting at fly-half before shifting to fullback when Haruna Muhammad was sent to the sin bin. He later finished the game at centre as the Pirates fell 27-21 on the day but advanced on aggregate.
The semifinal campaign highlighted the consistency that has underpinned the Pirates’ success this season. The club retained a core of 12 starters across both legs, while 20 players featured in each encounter.
The occasion was also memorable for hooker Nathan Bwambale, who marked his 150th appearance for the club since official records began in 2016, further cementing his status as one of the Pirates’ longest-serving stalwarts.
Awaiting the defending champions in the final are Buffaloes, who booked their place with a commanding semifinal victory over Makerere Impis.
The showdown promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the league’s form teams, with Buffaloes seeking to dethrone the reigning champions and the Pirates aiming to extend their dominance in the playoff era.
Speaking after the match, Stanbic Bank Executive Director Sam Mwogeza congratulated the Pirates on reaching another final.
“The Black Pirates have demonstrated tremendous resilience, discipline and teamwork throughout this campaign. Their journey to a third consecutive final is a testament to the growth of rugby in Uganda and the importance of investing in sports development. We wish both finalists the very best in what promises to be an exciting championship encounter,” he said.
The National Rugby Premiership final between Black Pirates and Buffaloes will be played at Kings Park Arena on June 27, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
