Madagascar defeated Namibia 57 - 54 in extra-time to win Group 1B final match at the 2012 Africa Cup; they have now jumped up 14 places to their current 42nd rank.

[1] Madagascar played their first ever international rugby match in 1970, where they met Italy, losing 9 points to 17.

During 2001 Madagascar competed for the first time in the Africa qualification tournaments for the 2003 Rugby World Cup to be held in Australia.

Madagascar was the surprise winner of the 2012 Africa Cup, defeating Namibia 57–54 in an historical final.

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Madagascar national XV at test level up until 12 July 2021 [3]