Veteran scrum-half Brian Tanga confirmed his retirement from sevens rugby after a glittering 12-year career. Tanga will, however, give back to the game through coaching as he continues to play in the longer 15s version of the sport. The diminutive scrum-half called time on his sevens career following the completion of the 2026 National 7s Circuit, with his final appearance coming in Kabras Sugar’s third-place playoff against KCB Rugby at the Christie 7s on Sunday, 13 September.
The match ended 5-0 in favour of KCB after a sudden-death finish, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious sevens career for the experienced number nine.For Tanga, however, the result mattered less than the journey he and his teammates had shared throughout the circuit.“This circuit was all about brotherhood for us, and that is why we managed to get this far,” Tanga said.
The 12-year journey has seen Tanga become a key figure at Kabras while also representing Kenya Sevens on the international stage.“I am retiring from both club and national team (sevens) rugby. I think I have served enough already. It has been 12 years of service,” he said.Tanga began his rugby journey shortly after completing high school, spending about two years playing before joining Western Vampire, an amateur side in Busia.
His performances at the club eventually earned him a trial at Kabras Sugar, where he successfully made the cut in 2013.He worked his way through the club’s development structures before establishing himself in the senior team during the 2014/15 season.Over the years, Tanga became an integral part of Kabras’ rise and success in both the Kenya Cup and Sevens rugby.
One of his fondest club memories came in 2017 when Kabras won the National 7s Circuit.“My favourite club memory was in 2017, when we won the National 7s Circuit. We beat KCB to lift our first Christie 7s title here at the RFUEA Grounds,” he recalled.
His performances at club level also earned him national recognition.Willis Ojal lists reasons for stepping down as Strathmore Leos coachUnder the late Benjamin Ayimba, Tanga was selected for the Kenya Sevens setup and went on to be named Player of the Tournament at the Safari 7s. He was subsequently integrated into the Shujaa setup, making his World Rugby Sevens Series (now HSBC SVNS) debut at the 2016 Hong Kong 7s.His international career took him around the world, with Tanga featuring in more than 20 HSBC SVNS tournaments and representing Kenya at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
He also looks back fondly on his first national team call-up and Kenya’s triumph at the Singapore 7s.“For Shujaa, obviously, it was getting my first call-up in 2014 and then winning the Singapore 7s. Those are memories I will always cherish,” he said.
Despite stepping away from the sevens game as a player, Tanga believes the future of sevens rugby is in capable hands.John Okoth struggling to process Ultimate 7s disappointment despite Christie 7s triumphHe was particularly impressed by the current crop of scrum-halves like Mike Lukusi, and urged them to remain disciplined as they continue developing their careers.“The current generation of scrum-halves are really good. They have played the current version of 7s rugby, and for me, it is just about supporting them. I have already told them to always be disciplined and keep playing, and everything else will fall into place,” he said.
After more than a decade of tackling, sprinting and competing at the highest level, Tanga admitted there are parts of the sevens game he will gladly leave behind.“I will miss the brotherhood. What I will not miss are the tackles and the running in 7s,” he joked.
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The 31-year-old believes his decision to retire from sevens rugby has also been influenced by the sheer volume of rugby he has played throughout his career.Ashiundu reveals how Kabras teammates supported him after painful loss of family member“There is something called training age. I have trained for the longest time, and I think I have played more matches than players my age. For now, I just have to retire,” he said.
His next chapter, however, will remain firmly rooted in rugby.“I will have to give back to the game that I love so much and venture into coaching,” Tanga revealed.
Having worked under several coaches throughout his career, Tanga says he has picked valuable lessons from each of them rather than attributing his development to one individual.“I wouldn’t single out a specific coach because every coach has their own dynamics. From the late Benjamin Ayimba, because there was that version of rugby, to the current generation and Coach Bling, those are some of the coaches I can mention. Our coaches at Kabras RFC have also instilled a winning mentality and culture in the young boys,” he said.