7 Things You Need to Know About 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens Cup

Nairobi will be the vibrant stage for the continent’s finest rugby talent this weekend as the Africa Women’s Sevens Cup makes a historic return to the "Green City in the Sun." 

The tournament is set to light up the RFUEA Grounds on Ngong Road, marking the first time Kenya has hosted the event since 2014. 

Pulse Sports explores the seven essential things you need to know, counting down to the main event as excitement builds across the continent.

The organizers have ensured that the tournament remains accessible to the "wananchi" and die-hard rugby fans alike. Regular tickets are priced at a very affordable Ksh. 500, allowing the general public to fill the stands and create the electric atmosphere Nairobi is famous for.

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For those desiring a bit more comfort while watching the tackles fly, VIP tickets are available for Ksh. 1,000. This tier offers a better vantage point to witness the speed and skill on display, catering to fans who want a premium experience without breaking the bank.

However, the crown jewel of the fan experience is the "Tailgate Ticket," priced at Ksh. 10,000. This package taps into the heart of Kenyan rugby culture, allowing groups to bring their vehicles and set up social hubs and all the tickets are being purchased via this link: https://tikohub.com/events/356

The 12 competing teams have been split into four competitive pools, ensuring high-stakes action from the very first whistle. 

Pool A is headlined by the defending champions, South Africa, who are grouped with Zimbabwe and Mauritius, presenting a tough challenge for the lower-ranked sides.

Hosts Kenya lead Pool B, where they will face West African challengers Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire. This pool brings a grudge match flavor, as the Lionesses will be looking to replicate their dominant 41-0 victory over Ghana from last year’s group stages in Accra.

Pool C sees East African heavyweights Uganda taking on Zambia and Burkina Faso, while Pool D features a diverse mix of styles with Madagascar, Tunisia, and Egypt. The top teams must navigate these waters carefully on day one to secure favorable seeding for the knockout stages.

The current rankings paint a clear picture of the hierarchy the teams will be fighting to disrupt. South Africa sits at the very top of the table, a position they have held with authority, followed closely by the hosts, Kenya, in second place.

Uganda rounds out the top three, cementing East Africa’s status as a rugby stronghold. The mid-table battle is fierce, with Madagascar, Tunisia, and Zambia occupying the fourth, fifth, and six positions respectively, all capable of upsetting the top tier on their day.

The lower half of the table features Ghana at seven, Zimbabwe at eight, and Mauritius at nine. Cote D'Ivoire sits at ten, with Burkina Faso at eleven and Egypt closing the list at twelve, highlighting the growing footprint of the women’s game across new regions.

The tournament has come a long way since its inception in 2004 in Tunisia, where it featured only Northern African teams. Over the last two decades, it has evolved into a premier pan-African spectacle, reflecting the explosion of interest in women’s rugby.

A major turning point came in 2009 when Rugby Sevens was accepted as an Olympic sport. This decision inspired Rugby Africa to professionalize and expand the women's game, moving it from a developmental pastime to a high-performance pursuit for many nations.

Today, the competition has grown from nine teams to twelve, achieving parity with the men’s category. This expansion is a testament to the inclusivity of the sport, offering a platform for nations to develop their programs and compete on equal footing.

This year’s edition carries a weight far heavier than just continental pride. The 2025 tournament serves as the official African qualifier for the 2026 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, a critical pathway to the global elite.

The margin for error is non-existent, as only the tournament winner will earn the coveted slot. Qualifying for the Challenger Series is the necessary first step for any African nation hoping to eventually join the HSBC SVNS circuit and compete against the world's best regularly.

For teams like Kenya and Uganda, this is the ultimate goal. It offers a route to professionalize their squads further and gain consistent exposure to high-level international competition, which is vital for player development and global visibility.

The Kenya Lionesses have received a massive boost with the return of Grace Adhiambo from French Elite 2 side Racing 92. Adhiambo, a playmaker with Olympic and Commonwealth experience, joined the French club in September and brings invaluable European tactical knowledge back to the squad.

She is joined by the electric Janet Okello, who plies her trade in Japan with MIE Pearls. Okello is in blistering form, having recently been named player of the final at the Safari Sevens, and her speed on the wing will be a nightmare for opposition defenses.

Coach Simon Odongo has blended these foreign-based stars with a solid local core, including the likes of Sheila Chajira and rising talent Nelly Chikombe. This mix of professional flair and local grit makes the host nation a formidable unit as they chase glory on home soil.

The RFUEA Grounds on Ngong Road will host the two-day festival on the 15th and 16th of November. Known for its intimate yet raucous atmosphere, the grounds are expected to be packed as fans rally behind their teams in what promises to be a physical and fast-paced contest.

South Africa remains the team to beat, boasting a staggering 11 titles and a history of dominance that includes defeating Kenya 12-7 in last year’s final. 

However, the gap is closing, and the Lionesses are desperate to reclaim the crown they last won in 2018.

Kenya and Tunisia are the only other nations to ever taste victory in this tournament thus the narrative is set. It is a battle between the established dynasty of the Lady Blitzboks and a spirited Kenyan side fueled by home support, all playing out on one of Africa’s most iconic rugby pitches.