The 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit will return next weekend as 16 teams battle for glory at the Prinsloo 7s, the opening leg of the six-stop competition.
The Prinsloo 7s tournament is set to take place at the Nakuru Athletic Club from 25–26 July, with defending champions Strathmore Leos drawn in Pool B.
The Leos, who also finished second overall last season, will be looking to kick off their campaign on a high while chasing a third consecutive Prinsloo 7s title.
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They stunned last season’s overall champions KCB Rugby 26-7 to lift the title and have once again been drawn alongside Daystar Falcons, whom they defeated 26-5 in last year’s tournament. MMUST RFC and Kisumu RFC complete the pool.
Pool A will see Kabras Sugar headline the group as they look to end their wait for an overall National Sevens Circuit title, having not won it since 2017, excluding the cancelled 2020 and 2021 seasons due to COVID-19.
After finishing seventh in this leg last season, Kabras will face Kenya Harlequins, who also endured a disappointing campaign despite winning the overall 2024 title. Mwamba RFC and Embu RFC complete Pool A.
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Overall champions KCB Rugby head into the opening round determined to begin their title defence on a stronger note after falling to Strathmore Leos in last year’s Prinsloo 7s final.
Their pool closely mirrors last season’s Pool C, with CUEA Monks once again among their opponents after the Bankers edged them 17-10 last year.
They will also face Nondescripts, whom they hammered 50-0, while NYS Spades complete the group.
Pool D features hosts Nakuru RFC, who will be eager to impress on home soil after finishing fifth in this leg last season.
They have been handed a tough assignment alongside regional rivals Menengai Oilers, who placed fourth in last year’s tournament.
KU Blak Blad, returning after missing this leg last season, and Impala RFC complete the pool.
Meanwhile, the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit has restructured the men’s competition, reducing Division II from 20 to 16 teams per leg to accommodate the women’s tournament.
For five of the six scheduled events, each tournament will feature 40 teams comprising 16 Division I sides, 16 Division II teams, and eight women’s teams.
The revised format introduces a regional approach for Division II, with tournaments in the Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western, Nairobi, and Central regions prioritising local clubs to give them greater exposure on the national stage.
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The Driftwood 7s in Mombasa will be the only exception, as it will not host the women’s competition.
That leg will revert to a 36-team format featuring 16 Division I and 20 Division II sides, while the season-ending Christie 7s returns to the 40-team structure.
The move is aimed at growing the women’s game while also providing regional men’s teams with more competitive opportunities on home turf.
It also marks a new chapter for the national circuit under the main sponsorship of leading online gaming firm SportPesa, which has committed KSh 34.14 million for the 2026 season, for the fourth year running.
ALSO READ: KCB Rugby crowned 2025 SportPesa 7s Champions, make history with record fifth title
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