KCB seek outright Christie 7s win to secure national crown
Kenya Harlequin players pose with the new Kingfisher trophy for the 60th edition of the Christie Sevens at the RFUEA ground, Nairobi, on September 8, 2026.
KCB Rugby are not considering permutations, but are aiming for an outright defence of their Christie Sevens and National Sevens Circuit titles this weekend.
Head coach Andrew Amonde is preparing his team for their sixth series title, KCB having made history as the first side to win four out of six legs in the circuit last year.
Since the circuit expanded to six legs in 2016, KCB are the only team to have achieved the feat that Amonde first achieved in 2025.
The bankers won the Dala, Kabeberi, Christie and Driftwood Sevens, and finished second in the Prinsloo and Embu Sevens.
Having secured their maiden Embu Sevens title last weekend by edging out Kabras Sugar 12–10 in the final, KCB only need to reach the semi-finals at Christie's to retain the national title.
Their victory in Embu catapulted them to a six-point lead at the top of the 2026 National Sevens Circuit standings, heading into the final Christie Sevens leg.
Following their previous victories at Prinsloo Sevens and Kabeberi Sevens, KCB secured 22 points in Embu to remain at the top of the standings with 98 points. Kabras Sugar, winners of the Dala and Driftwood Sevens, collected 19 points to remain in second place with 92 points.
This was the third time that KCB and Kabras Sugar had met in the final, with the bankers now prevailing in two of them: in Embu, where they triumphed 19-12, and in Prinsloo. Kabras emerged victorious with a score of 15-5 at the Driftwood Sevens. Interestingly, the series winner could be decided in the quarter-finals, with KCB and Kabras potentially facing off in the knock-out stage.
In Pool A of the Christie Sevens, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, KCB will meet hosts Kenya Harlequin, as well as Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and Club Afrique, a Pan-African invitational team boasting players from Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Kabras are in Pool B alongside Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad, the National Youth Service’s Blades, and the University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine.
“We are not focused on permutations and mathematics, but on retaining both the Christies and Circuit titles,” said Amonde.
KCB won three national sevens titles with Amonde as a player in 2013, 2014 and 2019. Kabras’s head coach, Ntabeni Dukisa, believes that a quarter-final meeting with KCB would give them a great chance of winning the series.
“That is something we can’t control, since anything can happen in rugby,” said Dukisa. “Meeting KCB will be a key moment in the tournament, as both teams have been performing well.”
Pool C has Menengai Oilers, Nondescripts, Strathmore Leos and Kisumu, while Daystar University Falcons headline Pool D alongside Mwamba, Embu and Impala.
KCB are chasing their sixth National Sevens Circuit title, having previously won in 2013, 2014, 2019, 2023 and 2025, while Kabras are hoping for their second title since their success in 2017.
On Tuesday, the organisers unveiled the new championship trophy, christened “The Kingfisher”, to mark the 60th anniversary.
“This 60th edition of the Christies marks the next chapter in the development of new talent, both among players and officials,” said Kenya Harlequin chairman Victor Sudi.
“This showcases the power of legacy in uniting two generations as we bid farewell to 60 years and embrace the next six decades of rugby development.’
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
