Kenya sweep men’s and women’s competitions at 2026 Safari Sevens

The 28th iteration of the Safari Sevens saw a near-capacity crowd at Nyayo National Stadium enjoy some of the best sevens rugby Africa has to offer on Sunday, with the Kenya national men’s and women’s sides claiming top honours at the end of the day.

In a unique situation in the men’s tournament, the final came down to an all-Kenyan affair, with the Shujaa overcoming the Kenyan men’s development side, the Morans, 24-5 to win their sixth straight title.

The Shujaa had to work hard to get to the final, drawing 21-all with South Africa’s Forward Legends side in the opening round, before pulling away with victories over Scotland and Uganda.

The side, however, flexed their muscles with wins over invitational sides Wonder 7s and the French Renegades in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.

The Morans overcame the Gel Squad 7s and Wonder 7s in the pool stages, surviving a 12-all draw with Zimbabwe to qualify for finals, where they overcame the Forward Legends before defeating invitational side the Shogun 7s 31-10 to qualify for the final.

The Morans offered plenty of resistance, with Shujaa star Samuel Asati sent to the bin in the opening minute putting the favourites on the back foot.

The Morans however were unable to utilise the one man advantage thanks to several big defensive plays but the Shujaa, the sides heading into halftime with the score 0-all.

However, once Asati returned the Shujaa took control, with tries to Rayvon Ambale, Victor Mola, Festus Shiasi and John Okoth getting the defending champions over the line, with Harrison Mauve earning a consolation try for the Morans.

The French Renegades finished with the bronze medal, defeating Shogun 17-15 in the third-placed playoff clash.

The women’s tournament saw more international sides push deep, with the defending champions the Lionesses finding stiff resistance in the likes of Tunisia and Uganda, with both sides overcoming South Africa’s Tuks Women, in addition to Kenyan development sides the Junior Lionesses and the Kenya Cubs.

Tunisia would ultimately miss out on the final with a 19-17 loss to the Lionesses, but their strong form proved enough to see them earn the bronze medal, a significant result in their women’s rugby program.

With Uganda having not met the Lionesses in the regular round action, the stage was set for a tense final – but the Lionesses ultimately showed their class, surviving the Lady Cranes’ pressure to pull away and win 22-5.

The result sees the Lionesses earn back-to-back titles at the Safari Sevens for the first time ever.