Kenya Rugby Roars Back: Shujaa and Lionesses Conquer Playoffs, Ascend to SVNS Division II!

In summary:

Kenya’s national rugby sevens teams, Shujaa (men) and the Lionesses (women), both triumphed at the promotion playoffs in Los Angeles.
Shujaa avenged last year’s relegation by decisively beating Canada 24-5 in the final, securing their spot in SVNS Division II.
The Lionesses fought hard to defeat South Africa 17-14 in their final, also earning promotion to Division II after a resilient performance.

Both Kenyan national rugby sevens teams, Shujaa (men) and the Lionesses (women), achieved significant milestones by securing promotion to the HSBC SVNS Series Division II. Shujaa avenged a previous relegation by decisively defeating Canada 24-5, while the Lionesses fought hard to overcome South Africa 17-14 in their respective promotion playoff finals. These victories mark a promising step forward for Kenyan rugby, offering both teams crucial opportunities for growth and increased global competition in the newly structured SVNS Series.

Triumphant Return for Shujaa

Shujaa avenged last year’s relegation by decisively beating Canada 24-5 in the final. Photo courtesy.

Kenya’s national rugby sevens squads, known as Shujaa (men’s team) and the Lionesses (women’s team), have achieved significant success. Both teams earned promotion to the esteemed HSBC SVNS Series Division II following impressive performances at the promotion playoffs held in Los Angeles over the past weekend.

The Shujaa team delivered a commanding performance in the men’s final, decisively defeating Canada with a score of 24-5. This victory carried extra significance as it served as a form of redemption for Kenya. Just last year, Canada had defeated Kenya 12-7, a result that led to Kenya’s relegation from the top division of the series.

The final match began with intense energy. Anthony Omondi Mboya swiftly scored a try for Kenya within the opening minute, establishing an early 5-0 lead. Just two minutes later, Mboya crossed the try line again. Nygel Amaitsa successfully converted the extra points, extending Kenya’s lead to 12-0.

Before the halftime break, Vincent Onyala added another try, with an assist from Kevin Wekesa. Amaitsa once again added the conversion, sending Kenya into halftime with a comfortable 19-0 advantage.

In the second half, Onyala continued his strong performance by scoring his second try of the match, further increasing Kenya’s lead to 24-0. Canada managed to score a late consolation try through James Thiel, but it was not enough to alter the outcome. Kenya secured a resounding 24-5 victory. As a result of this triumph, Shujaa will now compete in Division II of the SVNS Series in the upcoming season, joining teams such as the USA and Uruguay.

Lionesses Fight Their Way to the Top

The Lionesses fought hard to defeat South Africa 17-14 in their final. Photo courtesy.

The Lionesses, Kenya’s women’s sevens team, also secured their promotion to Division II with a hard-fought victory. They triumphed over South Africa with a close score of 17-14 in the women’s final.

The journey to the final was not without its challenges for the Lionesses. In the group stage, they faced tough losses against Spain (33-14) and Brazil (28-10). However, the team displayed resilience and determination. They bounced back with a crucial 7-5 victory over Colombia, which secured their place in the promotion playoffs. In the final, they faced a formidable South African side.

South Africa took an early lead in the final. Madine Roos scored a try and successfully converted the extra points, giving her team a 7-0 advantage. Kenya responded in the fourth minute when Freshia Oduor scored a try. However, Sinaida Nyachio’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 7-5. Just before halftime, Sharon Auma scored another try for Kenya. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed again, but Kenya managed to take a narrow 10-7 lead into the break.

In the second half, South Africa regained the lead. Shiniqwa Lamprecht scored a try, and Roos successfully added the conversion, making the score 14-10 in favor of South Africa. A pivotal moment occurred when South Africa’s Alicia Wilense received a red card, forcing her to leave the game and leaving her team with a player disadvantage.

Kenya capitalized on this opportunity. In the 14th minute, Oduor scored her second try of the final. This time, Nyachio successfully kicked the conversion, giving Kenya a 17-14 lead. The Lionesses then displayed strong defense, holding on to their lead until the final whistle, securing their promotion to Division II.

Looking Ahead to SVNS Division II

Lionesses bounced back with a crucial 7-5 victory over Colombia. Photo courtesy.

The HSBC SVNS Series is set to undergo a restructuring in the upcoming season, introducing a three-division format.

Division 1 will feature the top eight men’s and eight women’s teams competing in six major tournaments. Division 2 will consist of six men’s and six women’s teams participating in three events. Division 3 will involve eight teams per gender, who will qualify through regional competitions, competing in a single event.

At the conclusion of the season, the top-performing teams will advance to the SVNS World Championship Series. This prestigious event will include the top eight teams from Division 1 and the top four teams from Division 2, all vying for the title of world champions. Notably, the top eight teams from the 2025 SVNS World Championship held in Los Angeles on May 3-4 will automatically qualify for Division 1 in the 2026 season.

These victories represent a major triumph for Kenyan rugby. Shujaa’s promotion back to Division II signifies their improvement and return to a higher level of competition after being relegated last year. The Lionesses’ promotion is equally significant, marking their return to the global stage after facing recent challenges.

Competing in Division II will provide both Kenyan teams with valuable opportunities to face strong international opposition, which is crucial for their development and improvement. There is optimism that this exposure will pave the way for them to potentially reach Division 1 in the future.

The Kenyan players showcased exceptional talent and determination in Los Angeles, demonstrating the country’s rugby prowess to the global audience. These achievements are expected to generate increased excitement among young aspiring rugby players in Kenya and could lead to a further surge in the sport’s popularity nationwide.