Kenya 7s shift focus to relegation play-offs

Kenya will head into next month’s relegation play-offs with a renewed sense of belief and momentum after a huge performance at the Singapore Sevens, as the regular season of the 2024–2025 World Rugby Sevens Series came to a close yesterday.

Kenya Sevens, christened ‘Shujaa,’ were aiming to replicate their historic triumph from 2016 where they stunned rugby sevens powerhouses Fiji 30-7 to win their first-ever leg in the Series.

Yesterday, the team fell just short of another fairy-tale finish in Singapore Sevens, settling for silver after losing 21-12 to Fiji in a thrilling final at the Singapore National Stadium.

Despite the loss, Shujaa’s impressive run in Singapore signals a positive trajectory ahead of the high-stakes relegation play-offs. The play-offs will feature the bottom four teams from the Sevens Series, and the top four from the lower-tier Challenger Series, all vying for just four coveted slots in the 2025–2026 World Sevens Series.

The unpredictability of the play-off format means that no team can afford to relax. With just one bad game, a place in the core group can slip away.

The Challenger Series, which will determine Kenya’s potential opponents, wraps up its regular season on April 11–12 in Krakow, Poland. Some of the key contenders for the top four spots currently include Canada, Germany, Portugal, Chile, Samoa, and Japan—countries that have shown consistent form and resilience.

Shujaa now turn their focus to preparing for the Los Angeles play-offs next month, where retaining core status is the ultimate goal.

In the final yesterday, coach Kevin Wambua’s charges started with fire and intent. Nygel Amaitsa opened the scoring after outrunning Fiji’s Filipe Sauturaga to dot near the posts. He converted his try to give Kenya a 7-0 lead at halftime. The try came after a well-executed kick forward by former captain Vincent Onyala, which caught the Fijian defense flat-footed.

Fiji, however, came back roaring in the second half. Despite playing with six men for two minutes after their captain Sevuloni Mocenacagi was sent to the sin-bin for dangerous play, the islanders responded with clinical efficiency. Viwa Naduvalo, who was later named Player of the Final, scored two tries, while Rauto Vakadranu added a third try. Conversions by Sakiusa Siqila, Sauturaga, and Manueli Maisamoa sealed the victory for the Pacific giants.

Kenya managed a late try through William Mwanji, but the damage had already been done.

The final was a rematch eight years in the making. Back in 2016, Shujaa had stunned the rugby world with a 30-7 demolition of Fiji in the same venue. While they hoped to recreate that moment of glory, Fiji’s second-half dominance this time ensured history would not repeat itself.

In the semi-finals, Kenya beat Spain 12-5. Earlier in Pool “B,” Kenya beat Ireland 17-7 wand France 10-7.

win over Olympic champions France. Onyala and Amaitsa each scored to guide Kenya into the knockout stages. It was the first time since 2018 that Shujaa had qualified for a Cup semi-final in the Series—an achievement that boosted team morale and gave fans a glimpse of the side’s untapped potential.

Fiji, with its rich history that includes four World Series titles, three Rugby World Cups, and two Olympic gold medals, booked its ticket to the final after edging out Argentina 33-24 in a thrilling semi-final.

Adding an emotional sub-plot to the Singapore final was Kenyan international Jone Kubu, who was born in Fiji but now represents Kenya. Kubu came on as a second-half substitute.

Beyond Shujaa’s inspiring run, Kenya’s focus also turns to the women’s team—the Lionesses—who will be in action in Krakow. The Kenyan women are in the hunt for promotion to the 2025–2026 Women’s Sevens World Series and will be hoping to join their male counterparts in elite company next season.

With high stakes, rising confidence, and a sense of unity in both camps, the coming weeks could be pivotal for Kenyan rugby on the global stage.

Sevens Series standings after Singapore Sevens: Argentina (104 points), Fiji (96), Spain (88), South Africa (70), France (65), Australia (57), New Zealand (56), Great Britain (50), Kenya (36), Uruguay (27), Ireland (23), USA (12).