KCB Rugby defends National Sevens Circuit title despite semi-final defeat

Kenya’s National Sevens Circuit competition has concluded for 2026, with KCB successfully defending their title despite falling in the semi-finals of the Christie Sevens in Nairobi over the weekend.

Coming into the final weekend, KCB held a valuable lead against arch rivals Kabras Sugar, who needed to both win the Christie Sevens and to also have KCB to finish lower than third to overtake them on the table and claim the crown.

With both sides knocked out by Strathmore Leos and Menengai Oilers in their respective semi-finals, KCB and Kabras Sugar met in the play-off for third place, with the title for this year already decided and bragging rights for next year on the line.

The match proved a tense affair, with neither side getting over the line in regulation time. Ultimately, Kenyan sevens star George Ooro proved the difference for KCB in the sudden-death overtime period, scoring the decisive try to win 5-0.

The third-place finish saw KCB through to an unassailable lead of 115 points – six ahead of Kabras Sugar – on the overall table, defending their 2025 title thanks to winning three of the six legs of the National Sevens Circuit; the Prinsloo, Kabeberi and Embu Sevens.

The result proved a significant one for head coach Andrew Amonde, who believes his team’s consistency across the six legs will make them a side to be reckoned with ahead of future selections for the Kenyan national sides.

“Winning the National 7s Circuit is never easy, and defending the title makes this achievement even more special,” Amonde said to The Star.

“The players have shown tremendous commitment, discipline and consistency throughout the season.

“We had our challenges along the way, but the team remained focused on the bigger objective, which was to retain the overall title.”

“This has been a demanding circuit, and every team came prepared to compete,” KCB player Nygel Amaitsa added.

For us, the focus was always to remain consistent and collect as many points as possible in every tournament.

“To finish as champions and successfully defend our title is a proud moment for the entire team and the KCB family.”

Menengai Oilers, who ultimately finished in third on the overall table, went on to claim the Christie Sevens title, defeating Strathmore Leos 24-12 in the final.

While the runners up were disappointed, the 2026 season has proven a year of significant growth for them, with strong results across several legs of the tournament.

In the women’s results, Mwamba claimed the women’s overall title, with Quins Queens and Kiambaa Ladies finishing in second and third, respectively.

Ultimately, the Christie Sevens proved a fitting end to a significant season of Kenya’s largest sevens tournament, with 2026 seeing a second division of teams for the first time ever, and a significantly expanded women’s competition.

With weekends across Nakuru, Kisumu, Nairobi, Mombasa and Embu, the tournament has developed an increasing reputation as a hub for developing players in Africa.

With several key continental tournaments coming up, many players are now up for higher honours in October, ahead of the XV’s domestic season getting underway in November.

Kenya will be sending a development squad to the Africa Cup Sevens in Mauritius, which will run from 3rd-4th October 2026.

A squad was named earlier this week, with six players from KCB, seven from Kabras Sugar, and three apiece from the Oilers, Strathmore Leos and the Daystar Falcons; with Mwamba, Nakuru, Harlequins, MMUST, and Kisumu RFC also represented.

The side will take on defending champions South Africa, hosts Mauritius, Namibia, Madagascar, Egypt, Burkina Faso and Reunion.

With the Safari Sevens also taking place back in Kenya at Nairobi’s Nyago Stadium the following week, Kenya Rugby Union Director of Sevens Humphrey Kayange expects the competitive domestic sevens competition to be reflected in improved performances.

Kenya’s men’s and women’s sides have already qualified for the SVNS 2 competition, so Kayange will also be expecting new names to step up as the African nation chases qualification for the HSBC SVNS Series.

“We have seen new emerging talent from all the clubs and some exceptional players. We hope to harness this talent into the Morans team [Kenya’s men’s development side] for the championship,” Kayange said to The Star.

“The event in Mauritius is appropriate for the team, especially with Safari Sevens a week later. The boys will have momentum heading to the event at Nyayo Stadium.

“From the circuit we have seen several good players, so competition for places will be very tight, with several players looking to catch the coaches’ attention.”