Kenya Sevens' Kevin Wekesa in action during a past tournament/HANDOUTDefending champions Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Morans will headline a star-studded field for the Safari Sevens, which will be held from October 9-11 at Nyayo Stadium.
The three-day tournament will feature 12 teams in the men’s competition and six in the women’s category, bringing together national, invitational and franchise sides from Africa and beyond.
Hosts Shujaa will be seeking to retain the title on home soil and will be joined by Morans, while Uganda return to Nairobi for another edition of the traditional East African rivalry.
Zimbabwe Sevens will make another appearance after featuring in last year’s tournament, as South Africa will be represented by Wellington Jaguars, Gel Squad 7s and SportPesa Fast Forwards, who will compete as friends of Shujaa.
French sides French Renegades and Wonder7s will add an international flavour to the men’s competition, alongside Southern California Nomads from the United States and Scotland 7s.
Shogun of the United Kingdom, formerly known as Samurai, will also return to Nairobi. Wailers, Zambia 7s and 2026 SportPesa National 7s Circuit champions KCB Rugby have been placed on standby.
In the women’s competition, defending champions Kenya Lionesses will be joined by Kenya Cubs and Shibli, the junior national side. Uganda Women’s 7s and Tunisia 7s will also feature, while 2024 champions Costa Blanca Barbarians complete the line-up.
Kenya Rugby Union vice-chairman Moses Ndale said 6,000 tickets had already been sold, with organisers expecting a full house throughout the tournament. “We are expecting a full house for the three days and are asking fans to buy their tickets early to avoid disappointment,” Ndale said.
