The Rugby Africa Gold Cup -- which also doubles as the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers -- kicks off on Saturday with a spicy East African derby between Kenya and Uganda (15:30 CAT).
Kenya and Uganda will compete in a round-robin tournament with Namibia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Senegal and Tunisia to see who will win African rugby's top-tier competition. The teams will play each other home and away from 24 June to 5 August.
Nambia and Kenya are the big favourites to win the Gold Cup and to fight it out for a place in the 2019 World Cup in Japan. However, teams such as Uganda have closed the gap in recent years, and the tournament is expected to be close in 2017.
In Saturday's other match Gold Cup match, Senegal host Zimbabwe in Dakar (starts 17:30 CAT).
Kenya and Uganda have already played each other this year, with the Kenya's Simbas sneaking a 23-18 win in Kampala in the Elgon Cup -- the cup which these two country's play.
Kenya captain Darwin Mukidza says the win over Uganda gave them a massive boost ahead of Saturday's clash at the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi. But they will also not be underestimating their visitors after only scoring a five-point victory in their first match on 10 June.
"We are well prepared and we sorted out some of the things that were lacking in the first match against Uganda," the centre told the Kenya Rugby website ahead of the clash.
"Our breakdowns are sharper and we are recycling the ball quicker and getting it out faster. That will help us, because we have very good backs with ball in hand. That could help us on Saturday"
Uganda coach John Duncan expects a close contest after ill discipline in the first match in Kampala cost them dearly. Their is also a fierce rivalry between the two teams in this competition.
"I think it's going to be a tight affair. Any contest, any derby between two neighbours is always going to be tough. Both teams will go full out to win the game," the South African said.
"There is a lot of history involved in this game. It's important to start well in the Africa Gold Cup, and to secure the four points.
"Kenya are the favourites and we expect them to come out firing, but it's going to up to us to match them. We are building something special here and this is all about the journey at the moment. I think these boys are going to go all out and do their best."