SVNS Watch: Aussie, Black Ferns stars headline O’Reilly Cup showdown

Plenty of sevens stars are continuing to star in the southern hemisphere, as a busy weekend of rugby action awaits.

While Australian and New Zealand stars prepare to face off in Auckland, a plethora of action continues in the Hilux NPC, while the Currie Cup and Kenya’s National Sevens Circuit continues.

RugbyPass dives into the weekend’s rugby action, and where you can catch the biggest stars of the SVNS Series.

Laurie O’Reilly Cup

The final match in the 2026 Laurie O’Reilly Cup between Australia and New Zealand is set to feature a plethora of sevens stars on both sides, and is set to be a significant weekend in Auckland despite the hosts having wrapped up the trophy earlier this year.

Five SVNS Series stars have been included for the Wallaroos in what is set to be their 100th test match, with Tia Hinds partnering Australia A Sevens alumni Waiaria Ellis in the halves.

Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea will return to XVs side for the first time in six years, being named to start at outside centre, will Singapore SVNS debutant Maya Stewart, who also is the Wallaroos’ top try scorer, will start on the wing.

The big news comes off the bench however, with Bienne Terita returning to the side for the first time since 2025 against Fiji, while superstar Maddison Levi will be making her debut in XVs off the bench – a big name to watch who has caused plenty of havoc for the Black Ferns 7s.

The hosts meanwhile will be calling on the services of Braxton Sorensen-McGee at fullback, the Black Ferns opting for a combination of youth and experience with three debutants lined up.

Kenya National Sevens Circuit

The National Sevens Circuit heads into the second half of it’s season in Kenya this weekend, with the Driftwood 7s in Mombasa set to experience a tense fourth round of action.

An abundance of Kenya’s best sevens stars are set to take part, among them George Ooro and Mike Wekesa, who scored tries in last week’s grand final at the Kabeberi 7s in Nairobi for their side KCB.

The 14-12 win over Strathmore Leos sees KCB, the defending champions, return to the top of the table, with a slim margin between them and rivals Kabras Sugar and Kenya Harlequins.

The National Sevens Circuit runs for the six tournaments, with action set to wrap up back in Nairobi next month.

National Provincial Championship

Round four of the Hilux NPC has already kicked off, with brothers Brady and Rob Rush featuring in Northland’s 36-12 over Canterbury, the hosts featuring Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalist Andrew Knewstubb at flyhalf.

The action kicks into another gear on Friday, the Magpies utilising the services of former Western Force star and Aussie 7s alumni Darby Lancaster against Manawatu.

Tongan sevens alumni Kyren Taumoefolau will retain his position on the wing for Tasman as they look to defeat Southland in Nelson, with Scott Gregory starting at inside centre for the visitors.

Auckland will feature two sevens stars as they look to defeat North Harbour in Albany, with Che Clark and Payton Spencer retaining their sports at number eight and right wing, respectively.

Sam Clarke and  Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will be looking to make amends for Taranaki despite their 42-0 loss to Northland last week, both retaining their positions as they face off against Bay of Plenty, who will take the field without Joe Webber.

Oli Matis will look to make a big impact as he starts for Waikato this week against Counties Manukau, scoring a try late last week in his side’s 32-31 loss to Southland in Invercargill.

Finally, the last match of the weekend will see sevens alumni Jona Nareki retain his starting sport for Otago on the left wing, as they look to defeat Wellington in Dunedin to claim their third win of the season.

Currie Cup

With only two rounds left of the regular season in the Currie Cup, this weekend will see a significant period of action, with seven of the eight sides in the mix for finals positions while the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour hangs in the background, the first match being played between the Springboks and All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

A top-of-the-table clash will see Griquas host the Pumas, the current table leaders utilising sevens alumni Gurshwin Wehr on the wing and Sako Marata off the bench, the duo having a stranglehold on the starting side.

Darren Adonis has been shifted into the starting side for the visitors, featuring on the wing as the Pumas look to close the four-point gap and push for a top-of-the-table finish.

Luan Giliomee will also start for the Sharks this weekend against the Lions, with Olympic medalist Christie Grobbelaar also set to retain his spot in the back three.