While the top eight chase the Premiership crown, the bottom four teams fight for survival in a two‑legged playoff starting tomorrow. The format mirrors the quarter‑finals: aggregate scores over two rounds decide who stays up and who drops.

Warriors vs Rhinos – 4:00 PM, 5D Ranch

Rhinos finished ninth (4 wins, 7 losses), just above the automatic drop zone. Warriors ended 12th (0 wins, 11 losses), making them the only side without a victory all season. The two sides met in the regular season of the premiership, with Rhinos winning 29–10  a clear advantage heading into the two‑legged tie.

Rhinos have been hampered by the loss of two key players in the transfer window, which cost them attacking edge and consistency. Even with that, they did enough to stay clear of the bottom two. Now, they must turn that into survival. If they control the set‑piece and keep the game tight and structured, they will back themselves to carry a workable aggregate lead into the second leg.

Warriors have been in or around the relegation zone ever since their return to the top flight. This season is the worst, with no wins from 11 games. But they are not out of history yet. Home advantage at 5D Ranch gives them a chance to make the first leg competitive. They will need a near‑perfect defensive display, discipline at the breakdown, and ruthless finishing on the rare chances they create to keep the tie alive.

Kakira Simbas vs Hippos – 4:00 PM, Kakira

Hippos finished 10th (2 wins, 9 losses); Kakira Simbas came 11th (1 win, 10 losses). The two sides met in the first round of the premiership, with Hippos winning 23–10. But tomorrow raises the stakes and the tension.

This is more than a simple relegation tie. It is a Jinja derby with personal layers. Kakira Simbas’ head coach was once in charge at Hippos, but the major transfer‑window shake‑up at the club happened after he had left. The shakeup period saw several of Hippos’ senior players move on, leaving a reshaped squad behind. Some of athletes from Hippos joined Kakira Simbas. For this particular Fixture, familiar faces, shared history, and a bit of personal tension on top of the usual pressure will bubble. Expect a physical, compressed, high‑intensity match where territory and discipline matter more than style. This is survival rugby at its most direct.

Hippos were title contenders last year, losing the final to Stanbic Black Pirates in extra time after the 80 minutes draw. Off‑season turmoil hit hard. A split in the club’s leadership, followed by a big transfer‑window exodus, explains the slide to 2 wins from 11 games. The core that remained still knows Premiership rugby, and that experience can be vital in a two‑legged playoff.

Kakira Simbas are Premiership rookies. This was their first season after promotion, and they came up alongside Impis, who were returning after relegation. One win from 11 games shows the gap in quality, yet they have been competitive in spells, especially at home. Having a coach with inside knowledge of Hippos, and a squad that reflects some of the club’s previous setup, gives them a subtle edge. Home advantage in Kakira will be used to crank the physicality early and disrupt Hippos’ rhythm. The first‑round 23–10 defeat is a reminder of the gap, but derbies rarely follow form.

The Rounds Format

Both relegation ties are played over two rounds, with the aggregate score deciding who stays in the Premiership. The team with the higher total after the second leg survives; the loser drops to the lower division. Away points do not carry extra weight, so every point matters in both matches.

For Warriors, tomorrow’s clash is about breaking a three‑year cycle in the relegation zone. For Kakira Simbas, it is about proving their first‑season promotion was not a fluke and getting one over their former club mates. For Rhinos, it is about survival after losing their top two players. For Hippos, it is about holding the line after a season of upheaval.

Relegation rugby is often tighter and more desperate than the title race. Expect physicality, high stakes, and little room for error on both ties tomorrow.