Kabras Sugar Overturn KCB to Win Driftwood 7s as Title Race Tightens

Kabras Sugar produced a stirring second-half comeback to beat KCB Rugby 15-5 in the Driftwood 7s final, breathing new life into the race for the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit title.

KCB appeared to be in control at half-time after Festus Shiasi crossed just before the break to give the Bankers a 5-0 lead, with Brian Wahinya unable to add the conversion.

Kabras returned from the interval with renewed purpose and completely changed the momentum of the contest. Griffin Chao crossed twice, while Kelvin Wekesa also found the try line as the Western Kenya side overturned the deficit to secure a 15-5 victory.

The triumph handed Kabras their second title in four circuit legs and also provided a measure of revenge after KCB defeated them 19-12 in the Prinsloo 7s final in Nakuru at the opening leg of the season.

More importantly, the result has tightened the battle at the top of the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit, with defending champions KCB now holding just a two-point advantage as the competition heads into its final two legs.

KCB needed every ounce of their experience to overcome a determined Menengai Oilers side in a dramatic semi-final.

Oilers appeared destined for a place in the final after Beldad Ogeta’s unconverted try gave them a 5-0 lead deep into stoppage time. However, KCB found a late response, with Shiasi crossing to level the contest.

Emmanuel Opondo missed the conversion that would have secured victory in regulation time, sending the match into sudden death.

KCB quickly seized possession from the restart and patiently worked their way upfield before Olympic Sevens star Vincent Onyala found the decisive opening, touching down to send the Bankers into the final.

Kabras, meanwhile, enjoyed a more comfortable route to the decider, shutting out Daystar Falcons 19-0 to set up another high-stakes meeting with KCB.

The defeat to KCB appeared to take a toll on Menengai Oilers, who were overwhelmed 21-5 by Daystar Falcons in the third-place playoff.

Daystar's victory secured them third place, while Kabras walked away with the Ksh150,000 winners' cheque. KCB received Ksh75,000 as runners-up, with Daystar taking home Ksh40,000 for finishing third.

The Driftwood 7s also marked the return of Uganda Emerging 7s to the tournament after a 13-year absence. The Ugandan side finished fifth after fighting back to beat Nondescripts 19-14, with Malcolm Okello accounting for all of Uganda's points.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, SportPesa Head of Partnerships and Sponsorships Japheth Akhulia said the increasingly unpredictable results reflected the competitiveness the circuit was designed to create.

“Every leg gets harder to call, and that's the whole point. Driftwood 7s has delivered another proof that this circuit has teeth and every team is here to compete. We are glad to keep expanding the opportunity for our local clubs, but also international ones. Uganda showed up and competed, which tells you the region is paying attention.”

With four legs now completed, the circuit will take a one-weekend break before entering its decisive phase. The Embu 7s will serve as the penultimate leg on September 5-6, 2026, before the Christie 7s brings the season to a close on September 12-13 at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.

With Kabras building momentum and KCB fighting to retain their position at the summit, the final two legs are set up for a thrilling finish to the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit.

Main Cup Quarter-finals

Kabras RFC 27-5 Uganda 7s Select

NYS Spades 5-17 Daystar Falcons

KCB Rugby 17-14 Nondies

Menengai Oilers 31-5 Mwamba

Semi-finals

Kabras Sugar 19-0 Daystar Falcons

KCB Rugby 10-5 Menengai Oilers

Third-place Playoff

Menengai Oilers 5-21 Daystar Falcons

Main Cup Final

KCB Rugby 5-15 Kabras Sugar