Shujaa Star Kevin Wekesa on Why HSBC 7s Format Change Could Save the Sport

Wekesa , a key part of Kenya's Shujaa squad, believes the recent raft of changes made to the World Rugby 7s game, as well as money mining new tournaments, could save the sevens game.

Kenya 7s star Kevin Wekesa has explained why the rise of invitational, money-minting tournaments could be the only way to save sevens rugby, especially with World Rugby introducing yet another format for the HSBC SVNS.

In May, World Rugby confirmed changes that will reduce the number of core teams in Division 1 from 12 to eight per gender, with all matches squeezed into a two-day format across six tournaments. 

From the 2025/26 season, the World Championship will be the climax, bringing together the top 12 teams, eight from Division 1 and four from Division 2, at three showpiece events in Hong Kong, Baladol, and Bodo. Kenya’s Shujaa will feature in Division 2 this season, but Wekesa insists they can still dream big.

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Speaking to Sports Eye Sports in a recent interview, Wekesa explained why the recent raft of changes to the World Rugby 7s circuit - which were made just two years since being reformatted yet again - are a good thing for the sport.

“This season we’re in Sevens Two, and the goal is to finish top four. We also have the World Championships in Hong Kong, Baladol, and Bodo. If we prepare well, we can be contenders. That target is no longer out of reach because we have the players and the talent. It’s just about putting in the effort and being consistent.”

New Tournaments Making Game Fun - Wekesa

Wekesa, who has already played in India’s Rugby Premier League and a new French sevens competition alongside teammate Patrick Odongo, believes such leagues could give sevens back its spark.

“With the old format, sevens was becoming like wallpaper—it felt too long, too many games, and not all of them were interesting. But with the introduction of the new leagues, there’s a new sense of excitement because in a good game, every two minutes something happens.”

He added that shorter tournaments will also attract fans who don’t want to commit to marathon weekends.

“The new leagues, new rules—they make the game fun, more marketable, and easier to sell to new fans. Not everyone wants to spend two whole days at a tournament watching the same thing for nine or ten hours.”

Kenya’s Path Forward

Back at home, Wekesa featured for Kabras Sugar at the Kabeberi 7s and is already focusing on the upcoming Dala 7s in Kisumu, which will close out the 2025 SportPesa 7s circuit. He believes Kenya must also rethink its own events, like the Safari 7s, if it wants to attract new sponsors and keep pace with global changes.

“If we want new sponsors, new markets, and fresh fans, we have to change our approach. Look at the HSBC now—it’s just eight teams, the best of the best. Nobody wants to see who finishes last, but sevens is always entertaining because of that David-versus-Goliath factor. That’s what makes it special.”

For Wekesa, the issue has never been talent—Kenya already produces world-class players. The next step is structure, consistency, and creating platforms that allow players to shine both locally and internationally.

“Kenya already has the talent. It’s not that we lack quality—we’re already at the top level. What we need now is to go back to the drawing board.”