Lionesses' Freshia Awino is tackled by a South African opponent during the Africa Cup Sevens final at the RFUEA ground in November/HANDOUT 

Africa Cup Women’s Sevens champions South Africa will headline a glittering cast of global rugby nations when the World Sevens Series Division Two tournament storms into Nyayo Stadium next month, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on Kenyan soil.

South Africa arrives in Nairobi fresh from clinching the Division Two women’s title in Dubai over the weekend, edging Argentina 12–5 in a tightly contested final.

Canada also sealed their place at the Nairobi leg after overpowering Belgium 28–10 in the men’s final to confirm qualification. The men’s competition at Nyayo Stadium will feature hosts Kenya alongside the USA, Uruguay, Germany, Belgium and Canada. I

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In the women’s category, Kenya Lionesses will take on Brazil, China, Spain, South Africa and Argentina in what promises to be a fiercely contested battle. After the Nairobi leg, the three-day series will move to Montevideo, Uruguay, on March 21–22 before concluding in São Paulo, Brazil, on March 28–29.

At the end of the three-leg series, the top four teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions will earn promotion to the World Sevens Series Division One, joining eight elite teams in the world championship circuit.

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The championship events will be staged in Hong Kong from April 17–19, Valladolid in Spain from May 29–31 and Bordeaux, France, from June 5–7. The stakes will be equally high at the bottom of the table, with the four lowest-ranked teams set to be relegated to Division Four.

The top eight teams, meanwhile, will secure core nation status for the 2026–2027 season. World Rugby has committed to fully supporting the Nairobi leg, covering air tickets and accommodation for visiting teams and injecting approximately Sh25 million into the championship.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairperson Harriet Okach said the country is well-prepared to host the tournament, citing Kenya’s experience in staging major global events.

“We are up to the task of hosting this tournament. Preparations are ongoing, and as a union, working in partnership with the government and other stakeholders, we are looking forward to delivering a world-class championship,” said Okach, referencing Kenya’s successful hosting of the World Under-20 Trophy in 2009 and 2023, as well as last year’s Africa Cup Sevens at the RFUEA Ground.

The two-day tournament has also received a significant boost from sponsors, with Safaricom PLC, through M-Pesa, donating Sh10 million in kind towards the World Series.

More corporate partners are expected to come on board ahead of the event. Kenya Lionesses captain Sheila Chajira thanked the sponsors for their continued support and promised spirited performances on home turf.

“To our sponsors, thank you for your continued support. Come February 14–15, we will make you proud,” said Chajira. Shujaa co-captain Samuel Asati echoed the optimism within both national squads.

“The men’s and women’s teams are preparing well, and we are committed to making Kenya proud,” he said.