- KCB Rugby were crowned 2025 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit champions on Sunday, September 14, after a narrow 15-14 win over Strathmore Leos in the final leg, the Dala 7s in Kisumu.
- This marks KCB’s fifth overall title (2013, 2014, 2019, 2023, 2025), solidifying their dominance in the series.
- They had already topped the standings, with Leos needing to win the Dala 7s to overtake them a chance that slipped away in the last eight moments.
KCB Rugby interim head coach Andrew Amonde has highlighted the key factors behind their successful 2025 Sportpesa National Sevens circuit.
Amonde was leading the charge in the final leg of the six-legged circuit, the Dala 7s, where they were crowned the overall champions after defeating fellow title contenders Strathmore Leos in the quarterfinals on Sunday, September 14, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu.
ALSO READ: KCB Rugby crowned 2025 SportPesa 7s Champions, make history with record fifth title
KCB’s Highlight of the Season
Taking over in the last two legs of the series following Coach Dennis Mwanja’s suspension, Amonde told SportPesa Blog that the victory over Willis Ojal’s Leos in the quarterfinals was the defining moment of their season.
“Beating Leos and being crowned the champions was the biggest highlight for us because it was not an easy task. It was more of a mental clash; they had beaten us twice in the finals, and I think those were the only two games we lost in the entire circuit.
So, there was significant psychological work we had to do with our players to secure this victory today. That was truly our greatest highlight of the Dala 7s,” Amonde stated.
KCB had nothing short of an exceptional season: they appeared in all six finals, winning four and taking silver in the other two.
Furthermore, the Bankers lost just two of their 36 matches, both being the finals against Leos at the Prinsloo and Embu 7s.
ALSO READ: KCB wraps up dominant season, beats Kabras to reclaim Dala 7s 2025 title
With this stellar record, they amassed a historic 126 points and won a record-extending fifth overall national sevens circuit trophy, a feat unmatched by any other team since 1999.
KCB coach Amonde highlights key factors behind their successful 2025 SportPesa 7s Circuit campaign
Amonde credited much of their success to a well-structured preseason that laid the foundation for consistency.
“The major thing we did was have a proper preseason with all our players reporting in good condition. A large squad came to prepare, and that really boosted us.
Every circuit, we had at least two or so new players coming on board to support the team.
That depth is what fueled us throughout the season, and we were able to finish the sevens season with everyone fully engaged,” he explained.
KCB Rugby looks to translate Sevens performance to the Kenya Cup 15s
The Ruaraka-based outfit reclaimed the title they last won in 2023.
Amonde, a former Shujaa captain, emphasized that during the title drought, the club was undergoing a rebuild and he hopes they can carry the momentum from the concluded sevens season into the upcoming fifteens campaign.
“Rebuilding is something that every team goes through. We took time to rebuild, we are regaining our footing, and now it’s just a matter of getting more game time and translating what we’ve accomplished in sevens to the 15s format. We want to make our sponsors proud and be competitive,” Amonde said.
He reiterated, “Rebuilding is not an easy journey, and I think KCB has really taken its time. We have played well this season, we have stood out, and it is a matter of taking what we have done here into the 15s season and hopefully winning a trophy.”
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2025 SportPesa 7s Circuit Champions
- Driftwood 7s: July 26–27 – Champions: KCB Rugby
- Prinsloo 7s: August 2–3 – Champions: Strathmore Leos
- Christie 7s: August 16–17 – Champions: KCB Rugby
- Embu 7s: August 23–24 – Champions: Strathmore Leos
- Kabeberi 7s: September 6–7 – Champions: KCB
- Dala 7s: September 13–14 – Champions: KCB