SVNS local level: Portugal University wins big, King of the Sevens kick off

The local level of sevens rugby has been ramping up over the world, with several great stories coming out of the world of sevens rugby.

Kicking off in Kenya, the National 7s Circuit has seen alternating leaders in the first two rounds of action, with this weekend seeing the competition arrive at the Kabeberi Sevens.

Defending champions KCB RFC came into last week hoping to retain their Dala Sevens they claimed in 2025, however it fell apart with an ill-disciplined loss to Kenya Harlequin 14-12 in the quarterfinals.

It was even more disappointing considering the discipline, with KCB finishing the game with just five players following two red cards.

As a result, KCB’s arch-rivals Kabras Sugar went on to claim the Dala title, climbing over KCB into first on the overall table, something former Kenya sevens star and KCB head coach Andrew Amonde will look to address.

“We have to go back to the drawing board with regards to our discipline,” Amonde told The Star.

“To lose two players in a high-stakes quarter-final is not ideal. We left ourselves short in that match, so it’s something the players have to take ownership of and ensure we are seven players at all times.

“We have also brought a couple of new players into the side, and the combinations will take time to gel.

“This is just a learning curve. We are experimenting with our line-ups to ensure we get the best out of each player, and so it will take time.

“It’s still early days. We can polish up and improve in all facets of our play, remain confident in our structures and be competitive in the next leg.”

KCB are set for a difficult run at the Kabeberi Sevens, drawing Kabras Sugar in Pool D, their upcoming clash set to be one of the most significant in the 2026 tournament so far.

Portugal University team stun competitors to win big at European Universities Games

The latest win for a sport with a rapidly growing footprint on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal University side Académica de Coimbra has stunned the likes of heavyweight nations France to claim Portugal’s first European university rugby sevens crown.

The European Universities Games were held in Salerno, Italy from 28-30 July, with established sevens programs from France, Italy and Spain making for stiff competition in the rugby sevens category.

Led by former Portuguese international Sérgio Franco however, Académica de Coimbra produced several big wins against Spain, Italy and Turkey, before meeting France’s University of Rennes.

After conceding early, the side built into the match, producing a huge defensive effort to win 12-5 and claim the title.

The result marks a significant step forward both for Portugal’s sevens program, and their university rugby program at large.

King of the Sevens season launches with high-octane Peebles Sevens 

One of rugby’s most prestigious sevens competitions got underway over the weekend in Scotland, as the Peebles Sevens saw Melrose start the year with their first title, winning 33-19 over Boroughmuir in the final.

King of the Sevens was first contested in 1994, but it’s history goes back much further, serving as an extension of the Borders Sevens Circuit, the oldest competitive rugby sevens circuit in the world.

Built on the Melrose Sevens which were first contested in 1883, the Border Sevens Circuit now contests 11 tournaments, with King of the Sevens making up ten, featuring talent that has competed at the Commonwealth Games and at Olympic levels for Great Britain.

The 2026-2027 season kicked off with the Peebles Sevens played in the eponymous town just south of Edinburgh, with 11 teams coming together to compete.

Last year’s King of the Sevens champions Kelso, who also made the Peebles Sevens final, were knocked out in the Pool stages following a 17-10 loss to Boroughmuir, the Edinburgh side defeating hosts Peebles RFC 22-12 in the semi finals.

Coming up against last year’s winners of the Peebles Sevens, Melrose, who had built into the tournament nicely, the final saw a high-scoring, seesawing affair, with Melrose going into the break 19-12 ahead.

However, after Boroughmuir scored early in the second half to draw level, the defending champions powered away in the second half, scoring two tries to win 33-19.