Kenya Sevens: What Do Shujaa Need to Secure Top Flight Return?

Kenya Sevens finished third for a second successive HSBC SVNS 2 series leg in Montevideo, Uruguay last weekend, keeping them in the hunt for promotion playoff place.

Shujaa started their sojourn in Montevideo with a 14-10 loss to the United States of America in their opening match before a 19-5 victory over Canada and then a 20-0 triumph over Belgium. They would fall 12-7 to Germany in a tightly contested match before beating hosts Uruguay 22-14 to secure the bronze medal.

That saw them collect 16 points which takes their tally to 32 points from two legs, six behind the United States and Germany, who both have 38 points. Meanwhile, Uruguay are fourth with 28 points, while Canada and Belgium each have 22.

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Heading into the final leg in Sao Paulo, Brazil this weekend, Shujaa must ensure they stay in the top four if they have to clinch a place in the playoffs.

In Sao Paulo, Shujaa will begin their campaign with a tough match against Germany on Saturday before taking on Belgium and Canada. They will then square it off with USA and Uruguay on Sunday.

At the conclusion of the Sao Paulo leg, the top four teams will join the eight currently competing in the World Championship Series in another three-leg event and at the end of the mini-tournament, the top eight will play in the top flight, the SVNS Division 1, in 2027.

It therefore means Shujaa’s work is cut out in Sao Paolo where they have to ensure a good run of results to avoid being overtaken by the chasing pack.

Key to that will be a good start against formidable Germany and if they win, then victories against Belgium and Canada, who are below them on the table, will most certainly guarantee them a spot in the top four in Brazil, before facing tougher tests against Uruguay and USA.

Kenya last played top flight sevens rugby in the 2024-25 season before World Rugby changed the rules which reduced World Series teams from 12 to eight, and that saw Shujaa drop to the HSBC SVNS 2 just when they were about to play a promotion playoff in Los Angeles in May 2025.

They now have to do it the hard way but the first step to qualification is a top four in the HSBC SVNS 2 before the grueling task in the World Championship Series promotion legs.