Rugby

Impala Rugby has officially launched its Safeguarding Pilot, marking the start of a 16-week programme aimed at strengthening athlete safety, wellbeing, and safeguarding across the rugby section.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe launch took place on Saturday, 8 August at Impala Club, Ngong Road, bringing together members of the Impala Rugby Executive Committee, coaches and the technical team alongside MichezoSAFETunza Safeguarding. The pilot will run through to 27 November, with a review planned for December.Chipu reclaim Barthés U20 Trophy with emphatic win over NamibiaLaunched on Safe Sport Day 2026, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to move safeguarding beyond policy, and into the everyday experience of sport.The pilot forms Phase One of the Impala Safe Club 2030 programme, beginning with rugby as the first section in which the safeguarding framework will be developed, tested, and strengthened. The intention is to use the lessons from the rugby pilot to inform..

Kenya Under-20 national team, Chipu, reclaimed the Rugby Africa Barthés U20 Trophy in emphatic fashion after powering past Namibia 33-14 in the final at Wankulukuku Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, on Tuesday, 11 August.The victory saw Kenya return to the top of African age-grade rugby after surrendering the title to Namibia in 2025.The 2026 tournament was played under a revamped format, with Kenya competing in the Performance Division alongside Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tunisia.Chipu had to withstand an early onslaught from a determined Namibian side, with their defence repeatedly tested as Namibia looked for a way through.Kenya, however, remained composed and frustrated their opponents with resolute defending.Veron Kaburu embracing new challenge after MMUST exitAt the other end, Chipu repeatedly worked their way into Namibia’s 22 but handling errors prevented them from converting their pressure into points.The breakthrough eventually arrived when Michael Lukusi crossed for the opening try, sp..

Former Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Rugby captain Veron Kaburu is settling into life at Menengai Oilers after bringing an end to a memorable stint with the university side. The talented halfback is embracing the challenge of club rugby as he looks to continue his development.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsKaburu completed a move to Oilers during the recently concluded transfer window ahead of the 2026-2027 Kenya Cup season and has already made an immediate impact, helping the Nakuru-based side reach the final of the Dala 7s. Oilers finished runners-up after falling 17-5 to Kabras RFC in the title decider.The scrum half now turns his attention to the Kabeberi 7s, scheduled for Saturday, 15 to Sunday, 16 August at the RFUEA Grounds. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9883764##Oilers have been drawn in Pool C alongside: Zetech Oaks, Kenya Academy Blak Blad and Mombasa RFC.Having spent several years at MMUST, Kaburu admits the transition has been smooth, although he ..

The National Sevens Circuit heads to Nairobi for the Kabeberi Sevens on15-16 August, with defending champions KCB Rugby looking to retain their title as the competition enters its third leg.The tournament has received a boost with Tusker announcing a Ksh 1.5 million sponsorship to support the organisation and delivery of the tournament while enhancing the overall experience for fans.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883764##The sponsorship will also see Tusker support the entertainment experience around the tournament, including the official after-party, as part of its Tusker Na Rugby platform.Speaking on the sponsorship, Tusker Sports Brand Manager Keza Mpyisi said Kabeberi provides another opportunity for the brand to bring fans together through rugby and entertainment.“We have seen a very competitive start to this year’s National Sevens Circuit, with KCB taking Prinsloo and Kabras winning Dala Sevens. That tells you just how much competition there is across the teams, and we expect Kabeberi to be no d..

Kenya Under-20 will seek to bag the title when they face defending champions Namibia in the final of the 2026 Rugby Africa U20 Barthés Trophy on Tuesday, 11 August at Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku, Kampala.Kick-off is set for 4:00 pm, with both sides chasing history. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe winner will lift a record fourth Barthés Trophy title and secure Africa’s sole qualification slot to the 2027 World Rugby U20 Trophy. Chipu booked their place in the final after an impressive 35-23 victory over Zimbabwe.Namibia, meanwhile, had to dig deep to edge Tunisia 11-6 in a tightly contested semi-final, relying on a second-half try and a drop goal to keep their title defence alive. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9883764##Tuesday’s showdown rekindles one of the fiercest rivalries in African age-grade rugby. The two nations have shared the last two Barthés Trophy titles, with Kenya defeating Namibia 34-28 in a thrilling 2024 encounter.The Junior Welwitschias responded in 2025, beatin..

Defending National Sevens Circuit champions KCB Rugby and newly-crowned Dala 7s champions Kabras RFC have been drawn in the same pool ahead of the Kabeberi 7s.The tournament is set for Saturday, 15 to Sunday, 16 August at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe two giants headline a highly competitive Pool D that also features Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Rugby and Nakuru RFC.KCB head into the third leg of the National Sevens Circuit seeking redemption after surrendering their Dala 7s crown in Kisumu last weekend. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9883186##The Bankers were knocked out in the quarterfinals following a narrow 14-12 defeat to Kenya Harlequin, ending their hopes of defending the title.Kabras, meanwhile, arrive in Nairobi with momentum on their side after lifting the Dala 7s title. The Sugarmen capped an impressive campaign by defeating Menengai Oilers in the final to claim their first circuit title of the season.Pool D is exp..

Kenya Sevens winger Lameck Ambetsa believes it is only a matter of time before he earns a recall to the national team after reviving his rugby career with Nondies following a period away from the game.The speedster, who represented Kenya at the 2024 Olympic Games, switched from Kenya Cup champions Kabras RFC to Nondies last year and has quickly established himself as one of the club’s key players in the ongoing National Sevens Circuit.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsDespite admitting that he is still working his way back to peak condition, Ambetsa remains confident that his performances will soon put him back on the radar of the Kenya Sevens technical bench.”You will see me on the Kenya Sevens set-up soon,” Ambetsa said confidently.The feeling is great. I am very grateful to be back. As much as I am really struggling with my fitness levels, I think before the end of the circuit I will be somewhere,” he continued.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883186##The winger’s return to competitive rugb..

Mwamba RFC captain Bruce Shiemi has shared the secret behind an impressive decade on the pitch.Shiemi attributed his longevity in rugby to discipline, dedication and an unwavering love for the game.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe versatile hooker and flanker has spent the last 10 years building a career that has seen him rise through the ranks at Homeboyz Rugby Academy, represent Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) Monks and establish himself as a key figure at Mwamba RFC.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883186##Reflecting on his journey, Shiemi said the milestones he has achieved over the years continue to motivate him to keep pushing.”It’s been 10 years in rugby. During that time, I’ve won the Enterprise Cup and finished third in the National Sevens Circuit with Mwamba. I’m grateful for the journey and everything the game has taught me,” he said.For Shiemi, success in rugby goes beyond talent. He believes consistency, hard work, and passion are the qualities that separate good pl..

Every week was about training, competing and pushing his body to its limits. As one of Kenya Sevens’ leaders, Tony Omondi helped steer Shujaa back to the HSBC SVNS Series, co-captained the side to the 2023 Rugby Africa Sevens Cup title and later fulfilled every player’s dream by leading Team Kenya at the Paris Olympic Games.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThen, last year, everything stopped.A pair of devastating knee injuries forced the former Kenya Sevens captain off the pitch and into months of rehabilitation. That replaced the roar of packed stadiums with long, lonely days spent wondering when he would play again.Chipu make flying start to Barthés Trophy campaign with commanding win over ZimbabweIt was during that difficult period that Omondi discovered something he had never really had time to think about while chasing trophies.His impact on Kenyan rugby would not only be measured by what he achieved on the field, but also by the players he would help shape away from it..

The Kenya Under-20 national rugby team, Chipu, will begin their quest to reclaim the Rugby Africa U20 Barthés Trophy when they face Zimbabwe in the opening match of the 2026 tournament on Friday, August 7, at Wankulukuku Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.The clash marks the opening semi-final in the newly introduced Performance Division, with the winner advancing to the final to face either defending champions Namibia or Tunisia.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883243##Kenya heads into the tournament determined to reclaim the title after finishing runners-up to Namibia in the 2025 edition in Harare. Chipu won their third Barthés Trophy crown in 2024, ending Zimbabwe’s two-year dominance after lifting the trophy on Zimbabwean soil.Head coach Simon Jawichre has retained several members of last year’s squad, including Jackson Siketi, Michael Olukusi, Rayvon Ambale and Faran Juma, hoping their experience at both club level and the National Sevens Circuit will inspire another title challenge.“They played last year ..