KCB Rugby, Kabras RFC, Menengai Oilers and Kenya Harlequin are among the eight teams that have booked their places in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Kabeberi 7s after an action-packed opening day at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, 15 August.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe four Kenya Cup heavyweights were joined in the knockout stage by Daystar Falcons, Mwamba RFC, Strathmore Leos and Blak Blad, setting up a competitive quarter-final line-up at the third leg of the National 7s Circuit.KCB and Kabras emerged from Pool D, Oilers and Blak Blad progressed from Pool C, Strathmore Leos and Mwamba advanced from Pool B, while Pool A produced Kenya Harlequin and Daystar Falcons as the two quarter-finalists.##NAJAVA_MECA_9894161##KCB and Kabras had both made winning starts to their campaigns before securing their knockout places.KCB overcame Nakuru RFC 28-0 in their opening match despite being made to work for their breakthrough in the first half.Floyd Wabwire eventually broke the deadlock just before the interval before turning provider for Mike Wekesa after the restart. KCB added two more tries, with Samuel Asati completing the scoring.Why university sides struggle to compete in the National 7s CircuitThe champions then defeated MMUST 29-14 to move to six points and seal their place in the quarter-finals. Wabwire scored twice, while Jenkins Kipruto, George Ooro and Asati also crossed for KCB.Kabras, meanwhile, opened their Pool D campaign with a 29-7 victory over MMUST before seeing off Nakuru 31-14 in their second outing.Derrick Ashihundu scored twice against MMUST, while Kevin Wekesa, Jone Kubu and James Olela also got on the scoresheet.Against Nakuru, Eric Cantona, Mathias Osimbo and Brian Mutua helped Kabras establish a 17-0 half-time lead before Ashihundu and Osimbo added further tries after the break.Kabras and KCB met in the final pool encounter, with The Bankers emerging 12-7 victors©KCB RugbyIn Pool C, Menengai Oilers maintained their impressive form with two dominant victories. They began with a 29-7 win over Blak Blad, with Glacious Nganya Owino grabbing a hat-trick, before continuing their winning run in the second round with another convincing victory to reach six points.Blak Blad bounced back from their opening defeat to Oilers by beating Zetech Oaks 29-5, with Archedias Huku Kwesa, Elvis Otete, Aden Noor and Shuaib Wesonga among the scorers.©Tabby NashipaeOilers and Blak Blad therefore secured the two quarter-final slots from Pool C.Pool A also produced two unbeaten sides, with Kenya Harlequin and Daystar Falcons advancing.Quins announced their intentions early with a 36-7 demolition of Kisumu RFC. Patrick Wainaina scored twice, while Brighton Omondi also grabbed a brace, with Ramadhan Masete adding two tries as Harlequin ran riot.Blak Blad assistant captain reveals first tournament expected to feature after injury layoffDaystar had earlier beaten Impala RFC 24-0 before making it two wins from two with a 14-7 victory over Kisumu.Patrick Odongo and Clinton Amukwachi scored for the Falcons, with Eddy Wambugu converting both tries.Harlequin then extended their winning run with a 35-5 victory over Impala despite spending part of the match with six players following Victor Gichana's red card.In Pool B, hosts Mwamba RFC produced one of the most dramatic moments of the opening day when they rallied from behind to edge Nondescripts RFC 22-21.Blak Blad secure sponsorship weeks after Mozzart Sport highlighted their plightMwamba trailed 14-10 at half-time before Zoellick Buyuni struck again after the restart to put the hosts ahead. Nondies reclaimed the lead through Lameck Ambetsa, but Mwamba completed their comeback late in the match when Buyuni completed his hat-trick while Nondies were down to six players.Mwamba followed that thrilling victory with a convincing 35-7 win over CUEA Monks to book their quarter-final place.Strathmore Leos also progressed after starting their campaign with a 33-15 victory over Catholic Monks before sharing the spoils with Nondescripts in a 24-24 draw.Stanislaus Shikoli scored twice against Nondies, with Victor Odhiambo and Amon Wamalwa also crossing for Strathmore as the university side secured their place in the knockout stage.©Tabby NashipaeWith the pool stage now complete, attention turns to the quarter-finals, where the eight remaining sides will battle for a place in Sunday's semi-finals and a chance to lift the Kabeberi 7s title.
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