Takeaways from 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics rugby sevens

The 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics rugby sevens has wrapped up, with France and Kenya claiming top honours in Senegal’s capital city.

Marking the third iteration that rugby’s shorter format had taken part in the Youth Olympics, the quality of rugby on display – especially from up-and-coming rugby nations – suggests an exciting new generation of stars could be set to take the game by storm in the coming years.

RugbyPass breaks down the key talking points following the tournament, and where we might expect to see these exciting new athletes next.

Fun in the Dakar Sun

Dakar marked the first time the Olympics in any format has ever made it to the African continent – and as evidenced by how the event played out, the city has put forward a compelling case that more events should return.

Complexe Iba Mar Diop proved a perfect setting for rugby action, with 15 different nations clashing in tense contests across three days.

It led to a compelling climax, especially with the likes of local nations like South Africa in the men’s tournament and Kenya and Madagascar in the women’s tournament going deep into finals and being well supported by family and fans.

It further adds to the growing narrative that Africa is an increasingly desirable location to take more rugby events to, with Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa, claiming earlier this year that the region is ready for more global events.

SVNS 2 was also a colossal success in Nairobi early this year – with over 15,000 fans coming through the gate and the tournament set to return to Kenya in a larger venue in January next year – while the Cape Town SVNS has also become an increasingly popular spot on the circuit.

With Dakar’s successful hosting of rugby sevens, such news will likely further impress the powers that be at World Rugby to take more events to growing rugby hotspots in the region.

Girls spearheading Africa sevens surge

Of particular note from Dakar was not just the arrival of several new nations who picked up medals, it was the fact that every new nation standing on the podium was from Africa.

Across the three iterations of rugby sevens that have been played at the Youth Olympics, these events have been traditionally dominated by the likes of Australia, France and Argentina – the latter two nations being the only sides to claim medals at all three events.

However, Dakar saw six different nations standing on the podiums of the men’s and women’s events – with the other three being from Africa.

Leading the charge was the Kenya women’s side, the Rising Lionnesses, who after falling to Australia 17-5 in the pool stages bounced back to make the semi finals, then getting revenge defeating the tournament favourites in golden point time, 17-12.

They were well supported by the likes of rising rugby nation Madagascar, who defeated Czechia 26-10 to win bronze in the women’s competition – making history by claiming the first ever medal for their nation at any Olympic event.

The 2026 Youth Olympics also marked the debut of South Africa in the sevens tournament, with the current SVNS Series champions showing they have plenty of depth coming through the ranks, pushing France all the way in the final, but ultimately going down 21-19.

Against some of the strongest rugby programs in the world, the powers that be in Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, and even the likes of other African nations that didn’t make the podium in Uganda and hosts Senegal have good reason to leave Complexe Iba Mar Diop encouraged.

With all sides looking to push for both SVNS Series and Olympic qualification, the form here suggests their programs are on the right track, with exciting talent in their ranks that have what it takes to compete against the best.

Challenging the guard

With the Youth Olympics rugby sevens having seen established talent that have gone on to success at Olympic and SVNS Series level, a tournament such as Dakar should give fans early signs for who to watch coming down the pipeline of sevens rugby.

The results should get fans excited that the likes of Kenya and Madagascar can push deep, but also the likes of France, who appear to be building an exciting new generation of men’s players that could challenge the likes of South Africa and New Zealand in the coming years.

Gaspard Laharrague and Matt Lefeuvre headline a strong contingent of players who performed well for the French across the weekend, with their defence particularly strong.

South Africa will also take plenty of confidence from the weekend despite a silver medal finish, with Darnell Delport impressing in several games as his side overcome the likes of 2018 Youth Olympic Games champions Argentina 24-12 in the semi final.

Zain Hido, Josephine Kerubo and Mitchelle Chemtai are also names to remember from the Kenyan women’s side, who grew brilliantly into the tournament and standing up when needed to overcome a more-fancied opponent in Australia in the final.

The Aussies will be bitterly disappointed to miss out on gold, but will at least take confidence that their sevens program is continuing to deliver quality talent, with Darci Mackay and Grace Buchanan headlining a strong squad that performed well until the second half of the final.

The fact the silver medal was the first for the Australian Youth Olympic team at large in Dakar is also something to recognise.

National accolades await

Kenyan captain Zain Hido spoke positively after the final about how much a gold medal like this will do for their program, opening many doors for future investment and opportunities.

Truth be told, while these players are still young, all signs are pointing to these players making their debut in sevens and XVs programs sooner rather than later.

Heavily decorated sevens stars such as Australia’s Dominique du Toit, Canada’s Charity Williams and Argentina’s Marcos Moneta are among the long list of stars who got their start playing previous iterations of the tournament.

This extends to dual internationals such as Argentina’s Bautista Delguy and Lucio Cinti, as well as Wallaroo flyhalf Carys Dallinger and New Zealand dual international Risaleaana Pouri-Lane.

While the stars who took part in Dakar are not household names now, they will be players to keep an eye on as they start to see exposure for their respective national sides. Watch them grow.