After their historic achievement in the first leg of the HSBC Challenger Series 2025, the Kenya Lionesses are set to compete in Pool A during the second leg scheduled to take place at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town from 7-8 March 2025.
The first leg witnessed Dennis Mwanja’s side claiming the title for the first time, marking a significant milestone as the women’s rugby sevens team secured their first international trophy by defeating Argentina 17-12 in the main cup final.
With the second leg stage set, the national team will face neighboring Uganda and Belgium in Pool A. Uganda will meet Belgium after eliminating them in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Challenger Series first round in Dubai.
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Meanwhile, the first leg finalists Argentina will square off against Czechia and Hong Kong China in Pool B, while hosts South Africa will compete in Pool C alongside Poland and Samoa.
In Pool D, Colombia, Thailand and Mexico will battle it out for supremacy.
In the men’s category, first-round champions Chile have been placed in Pool A alongside Japan and Hong Kong China, while Pool B will feature Tonga, Uganda and Canada competing for a spot in the semi-finals.
Pool C includes Germany, Madagascar and Georgia, while Samoa, Portugal and Brazil will contend in Pool D.
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Kenya Lionesses set sights on promotion
The national team will aim to build on their impressive performance to ensure a top eight finish that will secure a spot in the final tournament at Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Krakow, Poland set for 11-12 April 2025.
The top four teams in Poland, after the conclusion of the three rounds, will secure a place in the HSBC SVNS Play-Offs in Los Angeles on 3-4 May 2025.
In Los Angeles, the top four teams from the Challenger Series will compete against the bottom four nations from the HSBC SVNS Series for a chance to qualify for the next season’s biggest stage.
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World Rugby HSBC SVNS Challenger 2025 pools
Women
Pool A: Kenya Lionesses, Uganda, Belgium
Pool B: Argentina, Czechia, Hong Kong China
Pool C: South Africa, Poland, Samoa
Pool D: Colombia, Thailand, Mexico
Men
Pool A: Chile, Japan, Hong Kong China
Pool B: Canada, Uganda, Tonga
Pool C: Germany, Madagascar, Georgia
Pool D: Samoa, Portugal, Brazil