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Kenya claim spoils in opening Sevens Challenger round

CAPE TOWN, ZAF - March 2: Kenya women celebrate their Cup victory at the 2025 HSBC Sevens Challenger - Cape Town 1 at Athlone Sports Stadium on March 2, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Zach Franzen / World Rugby)

Kenya secured a statement semi-final victory against hosts South Africa en route to winning the opening round of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger in Cape Town.

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The Lionesses followed that up with a 17-12 win against Argentina in the final to start their quest for HSBC SVNS qualification in fine style.

Grace Okulu scored the opening try of the final at Athlone Stadium before Marianela Escalante crossed to ensure Argentina turned round only 7-5 behind.

A second-half brace from Judith Okumu put Kenya in control of the contest though and ensured that Candela Delgado’s late try came too late to impact the result.

Earlier on Sunday, the boot of Sinaida Nyachio proved decisive as Kenya edged to a memorable semi-final win against the Springbok Women Sevens.

Nadine Roos and Ayanda Malinga put the hosts 10-0 in front within four minutes but Kenya hit back with three unanswered tries from Naomi Amuguni, Sharon Auma and Freshia Oduor.

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Crucially, the first two of those were converted by Nyachio which meant that the Lionesses were out of sight before Roos added a late third South African try.

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Kenya captain Okulu said: “This victory is nice because we’ve never won a Challenger series. It is a milestone for us.

“I’m happy for the team, and I’m delighted for everyone who supports us. We must carry on with the momentum and prepare hard for the next series this coming weekend.

“It has been an amazing journey for us and we are happy that things are working out for us.”

South Africa finished their home tournament on a high, beating Colombia – who had lost their semi-final 10-5 against Argentina – 29-0 to claim third place.

The 12 teams will return to Athlone Stadium for the second tournament on Friday and all the action will once again be live and free to watch on the RugbyPass App.

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The top eight in the standings at the end of that will then qualify for the third round in Krakow next month, where four teams will then earn their place at the HSBC SVNS Play Off in Los Angeles in May.

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reginaldgarcia 1 hour ago
Crusaders rookie earns 'other than Dupont' praise from All Blacks star

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JW 2 hours ago
Kyren Taumoefolau All Blacks stance splits opinions on eligibility

MP are a NZ side through and through, NZ is even having to pay for it.

Yes they caved to public demand, I bet it accomplished a lot of internal goals. They could have left it to the other groups, but I’m of the belief that they weren’t showing the capability to make it work as being a good reason for NZR to jump in and do it. I think it’s actually funded 50/50 between NZR and WR though.

(when nothing was stopping a pi player playing for any side in Super Rugby)

Neither is that fact true. Only 3 non NZ players are allowed in each squad.


I see you also need to learn what the term poach means - take or acquire in an unfair or clandestine way. - Moana have more slots for non eligible players (and you have seen many return to an NZ franchise) so players are largely making their own choice without any outside coercion ala Julian Savea.

Not one of these Kiwis and Aussies would go live in the Islands to satisfy any criteria, and I’d say most of them have hardly ever set foot in the islands, outside of a holiday.

Another inaccurate statement. Take Mo’unga’s nephew Armstrong-Ravula, if he is not eligible via ancestry in a couple of generations time, he will be eligible because he plays his rugby there (even if he’s only their for rugby and not living there), that is a recent change made by World Rugby to better reflect examples like Fabian Holland and Fakatava.

It’s becoming the jump-ship/zero loyalty joke that international League is.

Look I understand you’re reason to cry and make an example at any opportunity, but you don’t really need to anymore, other recent changes made by WR are basically going to stop the Ireland situation, and time (perhaps no more than a decade) will fix the rest.

26 Go to comments
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