Champions Kenya Sevens will take on Uganda and Scotland in Pool A of 2026 Safari Sevens rugby tournament that gets underway Friday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Organisers have already sold 13,000 tickets for the 28th edition of the tournament that has attracted 12 men and six women’s teams.
Scotland, who are making their debut in the tournament, and former Africa Women’s Sevens champions Tunisia were the first foreign teams to arrive in Nairobi for the event on Monday, as more companies came on board to support the event.
Safari Sevens rugby tournament team captains pose for a group photo with the tournament trophy in Nairobi on October 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
The last time Kenya played Scotland on the international scene was during the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, where Shujaa won 24-5 in the Challenge Trophy quarter-final.
Kenya then lost to Great Britain 36-0 in the semi-finals, and the Britons won the trophy after beating Uruguay 28-5. That season, Fiji won the world title after overcoming New Zealand 29-12 in the final.
Kenya lost 29-24 to Scotland in Los Angeles leg of the 2019/2020 World Rugby Sevens series in the final for 13th place.
After the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, the Scottish team merged with Britain and Wales to form the Great Britain Sevens team.
Uganda's Rugby Cranes main team has never beaten Shujaa at the Safari Sevens before, but Kenya’s second side, Morans, lost to the Ugandans 17-12 in the semi-finals of the 2016 Africa Sevens tournament held concurrently with Safari Sevens at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
While Kenya Sevens Shujaa went on to lift the Safari Sevens title, beating Samurai International 38-21 in the final, Uganda claimed their maiden Africa title, stunning Namibia 38-19 in the final. Morans settled for bronze, beating Namibia 46-0.
Shujaa, the Cranes and Scotland will also battle SportPesa Forwards Legends from South Africa in Pool A.
Kenya Morans are fresh from winning the Africa Men’s Sevens title in Mauritius on Sunday and have been handed Zimbabwe, Gel Squad from South Africa and French side, Wonder Sevens in Pool C.
On Sunday, Menengai Oilers back, Glacious Nganya Owino split the posts with a penalty at the hooter to hand Kenya Morans a 17-12 victory against Madagascar and recaptured the Africa Sevens title for the country first after three years in Mauritius.
Kenya Lionesses captain Sheila Chajira and her Kenya Shujaa counterpart George Ooro pose for a photo with Safari Sevens rugby tournament trophies on in Nairobi on October 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Zimbabwe have qualified for the World Rugby Sevens Division III after winning the Rugby Africa Sevens Series in Kampala on Sunday. They beat hosts Uganda 26-19 in the final.
United Kingdom’s Shogun, who have reached the final in the final last three editions highlights Pool B that also has American outfits, South California Nomads, Wellington Jaguars from South Africa and French Renegades.
Tunisia, Kenya Lionesses, Uganda, Kenya Cubs, TUKS women and Junior Lionesses will battle it out in the women’s event.
Kenya Rugby Union CEO Thomas Odundo said his team has recorded ticket sales of 13,000 over three days with an average sale of between 8,000 and 9,000 per day.
“We shall limit fans entry to 15,000 daily as per Sports Kenya restriction,” said Odundo.
