2025 Africa Women’s 7s: Captains Gather in Kenya for High-Stakes Continental Battle for SVNS Spot

The captains gathered in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday ahead of the 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens, which kicks off Saturday.

Beyond attempting to dethrone defending champions South Africa, teams are also vying for a coveted place in the remodelled HSBC SVNS Series — the elite global circuit overseen by World Rugby. 

The dynamics of this year's event are particularly intriguing. Continental powerhouse South Africa, having lost their core status on the SVNS Series, face immense pressure.

 The Springbok Women’s Sevens must now replicate the form that saw them lift last year’s Africa Women’s Sevens title in Ghana if they are to begin their journey back to the top tier.

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 Meanwhile, hosts Kenya have already secured their place in SVNS Division Two for the 2026 season after a gutsy 17–14 victory over South Africa in the SVNS Play-Off final in Los Angeles in May 2025.

Kenya's prior success leaves a highly prized spot open this weekend: the top-performing team in Nairobi — excluding Kenya — will qualify for the single available place in the upcoming SVNS Division Three season. 

“Yes, we definitely have an opportunity to qualify for Division Three,” Uganda head coach Charles Onen told Rugby Africa Media ahead of the tournament. 

“We are prepared. Our players featured in the local Sevens competitions and recently competed at the Safari Sevens in Kenya, which helped us identify key areas to refine.”

Uganda’s squad receives a major boost with the return of stalwart Peace Lekuru of York Valkyrie, along with Samiya Ayikoru, Unity Namulala and Susan Adong — all of whom missed the Safari Sevens, where Uganda finished as runners-up. But Uganda is not the only team sensing opportunity.

Even Zimbabwe — ninth out of 12 in Accra last year — believe they can shake things up. “I’m hopeful,” said Zimbabwe head coach Cyprian Mandenge. “We’ve got a new team with a mix of experience and youth. We’re looking forward to a great tournament and will take it one game at a time.”

The opportunities available this weekend are part of World Rugby's newly introduced three-tier SVNS structure. 

The eight-team Division Three competition, which Uganda and others hope to join, will be staged as a standalone Challenger event.

 Division Two, where Kenya will feature, comprises six teams across three events. Division One — the premier category — brings together eight teams battling it out over six high-impact tournaments.

Announcing the reforms, World Rugby Sevens General Manager Sam Pinder emphasized the commitment to the format.

 “World Rugby is firmly committed to the success of rugby sevens on the road to the LA 2028 Olympic Games and is investing 10 million pounds annually into the SVNS, a large proportion into team participation fees," Pinder said. 

"This evolved model provides greater certainty for unions with more events, increased competitiveness, greater pathway opportunities than ever before and, crucially, a financially sustainable ecosystem with a clear pathway for the future of international rugby sevens.”

The tournament, organized by Rugby Africa in partnership with Kenya Rugby Union, kicks off Saturday morning. 

Pool A features South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius, while hosts Kenya are in Pool B with Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. 

Pool C includes Uganda, Zambia, and Burkina Faso, and Pool D comprises Madagascar, Tunisia, and Egypt. All matches will be available for streaming on Rugby Pass TV and the Rugby Africa Facebook page.