Upper Hill School's rugby 7s team/ANGWENYI GICHANANairobi region powerhouses Upper Hill School are determined to rewrite history by lifting both the national rugby 7s and 15s titles this year.
Upper Hill enter as the reigning national rugby 15s champions after defeating Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) champions Kisii School 15-8 in Kisumu.
They then secured their spot at the rugby 7s nationals following a dominant 35-14 victory over Nairobi School in the regional final at Jamhuri High School.
Both Upper Hill and Nairobi School will represent the Nairobi region at the national championships, scheduled for August 2–6 at M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika, Kiambu county.
Upper Hill and Kakamega High School are the only institutions to have won both the 7s and 15s national titles in a single year—Kakamega achieved the feat in 2013 and 2019, while Upper Hill accomplished it in 2016.
Head coach Eustace Sifuna believes his side has what it takes to repeat that success.
“It’s exactly 10 years since we won both the 7s and 15s titles. Our target is to stamp our authority as a rugby powerhouse in the country by winning both titles once again,” Sifuna noted.
He attributed their strong campaign to squad depth, a established rugby culture, and solid support from the school administration led by Chief Principal Maurice Okumu.
“We have 50 rugby players in school, so we have the depth. We told the players who didn’t make it to the East Africa-bound 15s squad to focus on 7s. They have delivered the regional title, and we are now eyeing the national title,” Sifuna added.
Upper Hill have been drawn in Pool B alongside Rift Valley’s St. Anthony’s Kitale, Butula Boys, and Kamuiru Boys. Sifuna anticipates a tough physical battle in the group stage.
“Our main opponents are St. Anthony’s Kitale because they are tall and physical. We want to top the group so that we avoid the top team in Pool A in the semi-finals,” Sifuna explained.
Elsewhere in the draw, newly crowned Western champions Friends School Bokoli headline Pool A alongside Friends School Anjego and Nairobi School.
Pool C features Njabini, Kirangari, Mutige, and Tononoka High. Meanwhile, Pool D serves as a key group to watch, comprising Nyanza champions Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho, Laiser Hill Academy, Kwale High, and Kitondo School.
New rugby 7s champions are guaranteed to be crowned this year after defending titleholders St. Peter’s Mumias were knocked out in the Western region semi-finals, falling 12-7 to eventual regional champions Bokoli.
