In Summary :
- Shujaa are through to their third successive Olympic Games after defeating South Africa 17-12.
- Shujaa finished ninth at the previous Olympic edition in Tokyo. They were 11th at Rio 2016.
Shujaa are through to their third successive Olympic Games after defeating South Africa 17-12 in the Rugby Africa 7s Cup final at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe on Sunday 17 September 2023.
It was a finely poised final that saw Shujaa withstand early Blitzboks pressure before going ahead through Patrick Odongo who left his markers for dead to score under the posts, Tony Omondi converting for the 7-0 lead.
Selvyn Davids responded with an unconverted try for South Africa to bring the score to 7-5 before Christie Grobelaar’s converted try gave the Blitzboks the 12-7 lead at the break.
Odongo, mourning his late mother Sophia Atieno Ogak, who passed away last Saturday, landed his brace to draw Shujaa level 12-12.
Kevin Wambua’s charges kept their composure as time wore on, forcing South Africa into a series of unforced errors. John Okoth eventually score the decisive try as Shujaa held on for the famous win.
Shujaa finished ninth at the previous Olympic edition in Tokyo. They were 11th at Rio 2016.
Cup Quarters
QF1 | Kenya 26-0 Burkina Faso
QF4 | South Africa 27-0 Nigeria
9th Place semis
5th Place Semis
Burkina Faso 22-19 Madagascar
Zambia 28-12 Nigeria
Cup Semis
Kenya 35-10 Zimbabwe
Gold Medal Match
Kenya 17-12 Uganda
