So paulo: Kenya national rugby 7s team Shujaa, roared back to the global stage storming to Division 1 after dominating in the third leg of the HSBC SVNS Challenger Series, delivering yet another top-shelf performance at Estadio Nicolau Alayon stadium in Brazil from March 28 to 29, 2026.
According to Kenya News Agency, after thrilling stops in Nairobi and Montevideo, the HSBC SVNS Challenger Series shifted into high gear in So Paulo, Brazil, for its decisive third and final leg, where everything was on the line and only the best would rise to the occasion. Heading into the finale, Kenya’s Shujaa sat third in the overall standings with 32 points, just behind joint leaders USA 7s and Germany 7s on 38 points each. But with momentum building and belief surging through the squad, Kenya held a firm grip on a top-four spot, the golden ticket needed to secure promotion to the elite Division 1 league.
On the women’s side, the Kenya Lionesses found themselves battling more than just their opponents as the Challenger Series unfolded. A disappointing sixth-place finish in Montevideo cast a dark cloud over their campaign, leaving them short of the crucial top-four mark required to keep their promotion hopes firmly on track. With the stakes rising, that setback made the climb in the final leg in So Paulo even steeper, turning their mission into a high-pressure fight for redemption where every match carried added weight.
Shujaa stamped their authority on the tournament, opening their campaign with a dominant 38-7 victory over Germany 7s in a statement performance. Despite the Europeans striking first, Kenya quickly flipped the script and took full control of the contest. Patrick Odongo, Vincent Onyala, George Ooro, and Denis Abukuse each contributed tries, with Pettersan Amaitsa and David Nyagige adding conversions to seal an emphatic win.
Shujaa’s blazing start hit a speed bump in their second outing, as Belgium 7s brought their momentum to a halt. Despite an early try from Patrick Odongo, Belgium capitalized on missed conversions to edge ahead and secure the win. However, Shujaa bounced back in their third outing, delivering a dominant 40-0 victory over Canada 7s, with notable tries from Vincent Onyala, Festus Shiasi, George Ooro, and others.
In a crucial match against the USA, Shujaa bounced back with a 31-14 victory, showcasing resilience and tactical prowess. The team closed out the So Paulo leg with a 26-14 win over Uruguay, cementing their place in Division 1. The performance secured their promotion to Division 1 alongside USA, Germany, and Belgium, marking their return to the top tier of the sevens circuit.
Kenya Lionesses began their So Paulo leg campaign with a 19-12 loss to Argentina 7s but bounced back strongly with victories over South Africa 7s, Spain 7s, and a commanding win over China 7s. Despite ending with a loss to Brazil, the Lionesses finished second overall in the So Paulo leg and fifth in the 2026 HSBC SVNS Challenger Series, narrowly missing out on a top-four finish.
Kenya’s Shujaa are set to compete in the opening leg of the 2026 HSBC World Championship phase, scheduled for April 17 to 19, 2026, in Hong Kong.