Rugby

Safaricom, through M-PESA, has committed Ksh2 million to the 2026 Safari 7s as thousands of rugby fans prepare to converge at Nyayo National Stadium for three days of action from Friday, 9 to Sunday, 11 October.The support will see Safaricom enhance connectivity across the stadium, while bringing its digital, payment and customer service propositions closer to fans and businesses during the tournament.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe company will strengthen network capacity at the venue to enable fans to share and follow the action seamlessly, while dedicated connectivity will support the live broadcast of the tournament.“Safari 7s is an important platform for showcasing Kenya’s sporting talent and bringing fans together. Our support reflects Safaricom’s commitment to using technology, connectivity and digital services to enhance the experience for fans, athletes and organisers. We wish Shujaa and the Lionesses success as they defend their titles,” said Peter Ndegwa, Saf..

Invitational side Scotland Sevens have formally announced their squad that will compete at this year’s Safari Sevens scheduled for Friday, 9 to Sunday, 11 October at Nyayo National Stadium.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsTeam head coach Ciaran Beattie has brought in a mix of youth and experience in his 13-man squad, which is set to make its second Safari Sevens appearance since 2022.Top of his list is a quartet of Edinburgh Rugby Academy players including: Alex Bryden, Daniel Kelly, Ben McDonald, Hamish MacArthur and Nairn Moncrieff, who form part of the contracted core, alongside captain Ross McCann, Ben Salmon, Freddie Owsley and Lewis Wells.##NAJAVA_MECA_10012303##Also in the squad is Glasgow Warriors’ Academy player Alex Bryden, who is joined by the duo of Murray Waugh and Finn Callaghan, members of the Scottish Thistles side that was successful earlier this year at the prestigious Melrose Sevens tournament.Completing the list are Ritchie Mitchell and Struan White, who ..

For 28 years, Safari Sevens has been a celebration of Kenya’s rugby culture, a stage for emerging talent, a magnet for international stars and, at different points in its history, a symbol of the country’s ability to bring people together through sport.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsFrom its modest beginnings at the RFUEA Ground in 1996 to packed national stadiums, international stars and a tournament that has travelled beyond Nairobi, Safari Sevens has experienced remarkable highs and difficult lows.Its story is one of ambition, growth, adversity, uncertainty and resilience. An idea born out of a changing rugby landscapeFirst Kenyan referee to officiate at IRB Series on how rugby has evolved since the 90sThe origins of Safari Sevens can be traced to the 90s. The overseas tours that had traditionally brought leading British clubs to Kenya were beginning to disappear, reducing the opportunities for local fans to watch high-level international rugby on home soil.The Rugby Pa..

Friends School Kamusinga Chief Principal Paul Weloba has reflected on how rugby has evolved from the 90s to the modern era.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsFrom playing with little more than endurance and sheer resilience to officiating on the international stage, the former player, coach and referee has witnessed the transformation of Kenyan rugby from multiple vantage points.Weloba was among the pioneers of rugby at Friends School Kamusinga before joining Kenyatta University, where he played for Blak Blad. Today, he is the principal of Friends School Kamusinga, bringing his rugby experience full circle.Inside Kenya Rugby’s plan to transform Kenya Simbas and 15s rugbyReflecting on the modern game, Weloba cannot help but marvel at how much stronger and better prepared today’s players are.“Right now, you cannot play rugby with these kids. They will kill you!” he said with a laugh.But behind the humour is a serious appreciation of how far the sport has come, particularly in pl..

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has unveiled an ambitious eight-year plan to reshape the country’s 15s rugby programme, with the Kenya Simbas and Kenya Lionesses at the centre of a long-term strategy designed to produce better-prepared players and more competitive national teams.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe plan was presented during the 15s stakeholders breakfast on Wednesday, 30 September.The proposed 2027–2035 Fifteens Performance Strategy, themed “From Reach to Readiness,” represents a shift in KRU’s approach from expanding participation to developing quality, readiness and sustained international competitiveness.Friends School Kamusinga’s plan to build a rugby dynastyThe strategy will cover the entire 15s pathway, from U16 and U18 rugby to Chipu (U20), domestic competitions and the senior men’s and women’s national teams, with the ultimate goal of creating a connected system through which players can progress from schools and clubs to international rugby.Rather than ..

Friends School Kamusinga (FSK) is laying the foundations for a new era of rugby success, with the school investing in both infrastructure and technical expertise to unlock the potential within its rugby programme.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsAt the centre of the ambitious plan is Chief Principal Paul Weloba, a respected figure in Kenyan rugby whose experience as a player, coach, referee and administrator has helped shape his vision for the school’s rugby team, the Spartans.Weloba has brought experienced tactician Shimenga Livondo on board as the Spartans coach, believing his track record of developing school rugby programmes can help Kamusinga turn its considerable talent into a competitive force.Kenya Morans set for Zimbabwe rematch as Safari 7s pools are announcedThe school is also set to improve its playing surface as part of efforts to create a better environment for the players to train and compete.“We want to improve the rugby pitch. We will level the ground with s..

Kenya Morans are set for another stern test against Zimbabwe during the 2026 Safari 7s set for Friday, 9, to Sunday, 11 October at Nyayo Stadium.Fresh from winning the Africa Men’s 7s title in Mauritius, the Morans will be determined to go one better after an impressive run at last year’s tournament ended with a bronze-medal finish.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsMorans had arguably the toughest route at the 2025 Safari 7s, cruising past Reunion 24-0 and Apache 28-10, before sealing top spot in Pool C with a convincing 27-7 victory over Zimbabwe.They then edged UK Select 21-19 in the quarter-finals but fell narrowly to Shogun Rugby 14-12 in the semi-finals.##NAJAVA_MECA_9999945##Morans responded strongly in the bronze-medal playoff, beating Zimbabwe Cheetahs 19-12 to underline their depth and resilience.They will renew their rivalry with Zimbabwe in Pool C this year, with Wonder 7s and Gel Squad 7s completing the group.Defending champions Shujaa have been drawn in Pool A al..

Brian Wahinya kicked off his 15s season in style, emerging as the top points scorer as KCB Rugby claimed bragging rights over their Ugandan siblings, KCB KOBS.The Bankers saw off the KOBS 38-8 in the inaugural Lionhearted Cup at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka, on Saturday, 3 October.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe fly-half played a key role in KCB Rugby’s dominant display, converting three tries as the hosts raced to a 26-5 lead at the break before adding 12 more points in the second half to secure the silverware.Wahinya’s accurate boot accounted for a significant portion of KCB’s early points, with the co-captain converting the opening try before adding the extras after Emmanuel Opondo combined with Sheldon Kahi to extend the lead to 14-0.He was on target again after Isaac Njoroge crossed the line, taking KCB to a 21-0 advantage as the hosts took control of the ‘Sibling Rivalry’ clash.##NAJAVA_MECA_9999945##KCB continued to dominate proceedings, adding another unconverted tr..

Kabras RFC ended their 2026 7s season on a high after lifting the Kampala 7s title following a hard-fought 17-12 victory over hosts Heathens at Kings Park Arena on Sunday, 4 October.The Sugarmen clinched the second edition of the tournament, taking over from the Emerging Uganda Cranes, who won the inaugural title last year after beating Heathens 17-12 in the final.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe triumph provided a fitting end to a season in which Kabras came agonisingly close to winning the National 7s Circuit title, finishing second behind perennial rivals KCB Rugby.Coached by player-coach Ntabeni Dukisa, Kabras travelled to Kampala with a youthful squad, with experienced campaigner Eric Cantona among the few senior players in the team. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9999945##Despite their inexperience, the Sugarmen showed composure throughout the competition to claim the title.The final was particularly significant for Kabras, who were determined to avenge their 10-5 defeat to Heathen..

Defending champions Menengai Oilers are set for a blockbuster opener to the 2026 Impala Floodlights tournament as they face former champions KCB Rugby on 17 October. The match will be a repeat of last year’s quarter-final clash where the Oilers emerged champions.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe mouth-watering fixture headlines the draw for the 43rd edition of the Impala Floodlit Rugby Tournament, officially unveiled during a high-profile press launch at the Impala Pavilion on Sunday, 4 October.The tournament, dubbed “Episode 43,” promises three weekends of intense pre-season rugby and entertainment, with the opening round scheduled for October 17 before subsequent action on October 24 and 31 at the Impala Grounds along Ngong Road.##NAJAVA_MECA_9999945##Oilers, who lifted last year’s title, will have a tough assignment in their quest to retain the crown, with KCB standing between them and a place in the semi-finals. The two sides also met at the same stage last year, sett..