Hong kong: Kenya’s national rugby sevens team, Shujaa, capped their campaign with a statement performance to finish seventh at the World Rugby Sevens Championship, held from 17th to 19th, April 2026, at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, China.
According to Kenya News Agency, before the Sunday performance, Shujaa had secured a long-awaited return to rugby’s elite after finishing third at the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in So Paulo, Brazil, on 28th to 29th March, 2026. This marked a swift comeback for a team that lost its core status last year after a disappointing ninth-place finish and subsequent relegation.
Now, with redemption firmly in sight, Kenya joined USA 7s, Germany 7s, and Uruguay 7s as the four promoted sides heading into the 2026 HSBC Sevens Championship. The quartet integrated with the eight established core teams to form a competitive 12-team lineup.
The revamped competition will unfold across three phases, with teams divided into three pools of four. Besides chasing the overall champ
ionship title, the stakes are brutally clear, only the top eight teams will retain core status for the 2027 season.
For Shujaa, this is more than just another campaign, it is a defining moment. A chance to re-establish themselves on the global stage, silence doubts, and prove they belong among rugby sevens’ elite once again.
Kenya’s quest to reclaim their lost glory got off to a challenging start, falling 14-5 to Australia 7s in their opening match. The Australians struck early, asserting dominance through two well-taken tries by Josh Turner and James Turner, both successfully converted by Dietrich Roache to give them a comfortable lead.
Kenya responded after the break, with Denis Abukuse crossing the line for an unconverted try that briefly reignited hope. However, the fightback proved too little, too late, as Australia held firmly on the defense to see out the match and secure victory at the final whistle.
Shujaa’s second match proved even more punishing, as they slumped to a 28-12 defeat against New Ze
aland 7s in a one-sided contest. The Kiwis seized control from the outset, with Roderick Solo and Sam Clarke crossing early, Solo adding both conversions to hand his side a commanding lead.
Facing a must-win clash on Saturday to keep their Hong Kong dream alive, Shujaa rose to the occasion with a statement 17-10 victory over USA 7s at Kai Tak Sports Park. Kenya signaled their intent early when Denis Abukuse crossed the line, only for the try to be disallowed after he knocked the ball with his knee before grounding.
The quarter-final clash at the Hong Kong leg delivered a big heartbreak for Kenyan fans, as Shujaa fell agonizingly short in a dramatic 26-22 defeat to South Africa 7s. The Blitzboks struck first, with Selvyn Davids crossing early and Tristan Leyds adding the conversion to hand them a 7-0 lead.
Shujaa wrapped up their Hong Kong 7s campaign in emphatic fashion, overpowering France 7s with a commanding 21-7 victory to secure seventh place. Kenya set the tone early, with Pettersan Amaitsa crossing
for the opening try and adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
At the close of the leg, Kenya finished with eight points, trailing South Africa 7s, Argentina 7s, Spain 7s, New Zealand 7s, Fiji 7s and Australia 7s in the standings.
On the women’s side, the Kenya Lionesses fell short of qualification for the SVNS Championship after placing sixth in the Challenger Series. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s women’s sevens team emerged victorious in Hong Kong, finishing ahead of Australia and France to claim top honors.
Attention now shifts to the next stop on the SVNS Championship circuit, with the second leg set for Valladolid, in Spain from 29th to 30th May, 2026, where more thrilling, high-intensity rugby is expected to unfold.
