Three tries for Robert Harerimana, six for the Hills and a bonus point in the bag. In the biggest fixture of the Kigali rugby calendar, the champions beat their oldest rivals 34-6.
The Lions were the hosts, but Camp Kigali saw most of the game played in their half. From the 3pm kick-off both sides attacked and defended hard, and the Hills gradually took control of territory and kept the pressure on. Harerimana scored the opening try and Enock Mbarushimana added a second before the break, making it 10-0 at halftime.
How the game moved
Stage Score
Halftime (tries: Harerimana, Mbarushimana) 1000 Hills 10 - 0 Lion de Fer
Lions penalty 10 - 3
Hills try, converted 17 - 3
Lions penalty 17 - 6
Full time (three more Hills tries, one converted) 34 - 6
The second half was intense, as it always is in this fixture. The Lions kicked a penalty to get on the board and another to stay in touch, but they never turned pressure into a try. The Hills held firm in defence whenever the Lions came forward and kept attacking in the opposition half. In the last 20 minutes they pulled clear, finishing with the win and the bonus point. Harerimana added two more tries after the break to complete his hat-trick, Jimy Nestole scored one and Hajali Jean Paul scored one.
Harerimana was named Player of the Game. The fans turned out in numbers and got the show they came for.
Last season the Hills beat the Lions 20-15 on the way to the title, in a tight game between two sides who know each other well. This 28-point margin was far bigger, in a rivalry that has now run for ten years.
For Head Coach Nsengimana Jean D’Amour, it was a derby performance to be proud of.
“I am very impressed with the boys’ performance in the derby. They kept their heads up all the way through, and I congratulate them. I want this spirit to continue until the end of the National League.
To our special fans who showed up, your support is valuable to us. And a special thank you to our sponsor.”
Nsengimana Jean D’Amour, Head Coach
MATCH FACTS
Halftime: 1000 Hills 10 - 0 Lion de Fer
Tries (1000 Hills): Robert Harerimana (3), Enock Mbarushimana, Jimy Nestole, Hajali Jean Paul
Conversions (1000 Hills): Hajali Jean Paul (2)
Bonus point: 1000 Hills
Player of the Game: Robert Harerimana
Next Fixture
Resilience RFC vs 1000 Hills Rugby
Round 5 | Saturday 14 November 2026 | TTC Mururu Ground
Kick-off: 1pm
The champions travel west to Rusizi, unbeaten in the 2026/2027 league.
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