The 28th edition of the Safari 7s has been officially launched, with 18 teams set to compete in the four-day rugby sevens tournament scheduled to kick off on Friday.
The tournament, organised by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), will bring together 12 men’s teams and six women’s teams from Kenya and abroad, with the competition expected to provide a platform for local and international players to test their skills.
The men’s competition will be played in three pools of four teams, with Pool A featuring Shujaa, Uganda, Sport Pesa Forward 7s and Scotland.
Pool B comprises Shogun, French Renegades, Southern California, and Wellington Jaguars, while Pool C brings together Kenya Morans, Zimbabwe, Gel Squad 7s and Wonder 7s.
The women’s competition will be played on a round-robin basis, bringing together the Lionesses, Uganda, Kenya Shibli, Tunisia, TUKs Women, and Junior Lionesses.
This year’s tournament marks the 28th edition of the Safari 7s, one of Kenya’s longest-running rugby sevens competitions and a key event on the local rugby calendar.
It will also feature the Age Grade and Veterans categories on Friday, October 9, alongside the main competitions.
Safari 7s comes at a time when Kenya is seeking to strengthen the development and visibility of rugby, with the tournament providing opportunities for both established players and emerging talent.
The inclusion of six women’s teams also provides a platform for the continued growth of women’s rugby, with teams expected to compete in a format where every match will be significant in determining the final standings.
KRU said preparations had entered the final phase ahead of the tournament, with organisers, participating teams and partners finalising arrangements for the event.
The tournament has attracted support from a number of corporate partners, including Sport Pesa and M-PESA as team sponsors.
Other partners include Tusker, Coca-Cola, Capital, Sarova, Amara, Jadah Spars, Chloride, Del Monte, Galito’s, Pizza Inn, Tessen, Pot Cross, KenGen, and CFAO.
Sponsors will support various aspects of the tournament, including player recovery, hydration, media coverage, match equipment, and other logistical requirements.
The Safari 7s has, over the years, provided a platform for teams from Kenya and other countries to compete in the fast-paced format of rugby while giving emerging players an opportunity to gain experience against different opposition.
This year’s edition is expected to showcase a mix of local, regional, and international playing styles as teams compete for honours in both the men’s and women’s categories.
With four days to the opening matches, KRU is expected to focus on completing final preparations before the tournament gets underway on Friday.
By Wangari Ndirangu
