- Kenya 7s name final squad for SVNS 2 leg in Nairobi happening from 14-15 February 2026.
- George ‘Japolo’ Ooro and Samuel Asati have been retained as the co-captains.
- Head coach Wambua has handed a debut to David Nyangige.
The Kenya men’s national rugby 7s side, Shujaa, have unveiled their final 12-man squad for the opening leg of the HSBC SVNS 2 leg set to take place from 14-15 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Head coach Kevin Wambua has retained the usual faces, naming only one debutant, as the team prepares to fight for promotion to Division 1 following the changes made by World Rugby from the 2026 season.
George ‘Japolo’ Ooro and Samuel Asati have been retained as the co-captains and will lead the squad as they prepare to play in front of their home fans for the first time in an international tournament.
ALSO READ: World Rugby confirm Nairobi as host city for elite HSBC SVNS Division 2 tournament
The experienced Vincent Onyala is also in the squad and will be joined by the ever-present Kevin Wekesa who is fresh from claiming the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Climate Action Awards 2025.
The speedy Patrick Odongo, who was the team’s top try scorer in the 2025 season, is also in the squad and will be crucial in the team’s mission.
Other names include John Okoth, Dennis Abukuse, Festus Shiasi, Nygel Amaitsa, Chrisant Ojwang’ and David Nyangige who is in line to make his debut.
Kenya will play against USA, Germany, Belgium, Uruguay, Belgium and Canada in a round robin format.
After the opening round in Nairobi, the SVNS 2 will head to Montevideo, Uruguay (21-22 March 2026) then Sao Paulo (28-29 March) where the top 4 out of the 6 teams will advance to the SVNS World Championship for a chance at promotion to Division 1.
ALSO READ: How Kenya 7s can regain top-tier status following format change by World Rugby
Kenya 7s name final squad for SVNS 2 leg in Nairobi
- George ‘Japolo’ Ooro,
- Samuel Asati
- John Okoth
- Dennis Abukuse
- Vincent Onyala
- Kevin Wekesa
- Patrick Odongo
- Festus Shiasi
- Nygel Amaitsa
- Floyd Wabwire
- Chrisant Ojwang’
- David Nyangige (debutant)
Who will be competing in SVNS Division 2?
The SVNS Division 2 will feature six teams per gender competing across three events.
The top four teams will then get promoted to the SVNS World Championship where they will meet the top 8 teams from the SVNS Division 1 in the last three outings of the season in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux.
From the 12 sides, teams that finish inside the top 8 will get Division 1 tickets for the 2027 SVNS campaign.
Both the Kenya men’s and women’s national rugby 7s sides, Shujaa and Lionesses respectively, will be participating in the SVNS Division 2 in 2026.
2026 season structure
- HSBC SVNS Series (Division 1): Dubai (29-30 November, 2025), Cape Town (6-7 December, 2025), Singapore (31 January-1 February, 2026), Australia (7-8 February, 2026), Vancouver (7-8 March, 2026), USA (14-15 March, 2026).
- HSBC SVNS World Championship: Hong Kong (17-19 April, 2026), Valladolid (29-31 May, 2026), Bordeaux (5-7 June, 2026).
- HSBC SVNS 2: Nairobi (14-15 February 2026), Montevideo (21-22 March 2026), Sao Paulo (28-29 March)
- HSBC SVNS 3: (17-19 January 2026)
Key features of the new HSBC SVNS model
- Three-division regular season:
- Division 1 – Eight men’s and eight women’s teams compete in six high-impact SVNS Series events
- Division 2 – Six teams per gender compete in a second division across three events
- Division 3 – A standalone Challenger event with eight teams per gender, qualifying from regional competitions
- Season finale to determine world champion: Three blockbuster SVNS World Championship Series events with the top 12 men’s and women’s teams (eight from Division 1, four from Division 2)
- Integrated tournaments with equal participation fees and representation for men’s and women’s teams.
- Defined progression pathway: Teams can advance from regional qualifiers to global championship contention in a single season.
- Expanded calendar: 13 tournaments across the HSBC SVNS 2026 season, delivering more opportunity and exposure.
The participating teams in HSBC SVNS 2026 Series top level are:
- Women: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA
- Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
Confirmed men’s teams for Division 2 in 2026
Division 2 – Kenya, USA, Uruguay, Germany, Belgium, Canada
Confirmed women’s teams for Division 2 in 2026
Division 2 – Kenya, Brazil, China, Spain, South Africa, Argentina
ALSO READ: How Kenya 7s can regain top-tier status following format change by World Rugby
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Men’s Matches
- 10:06– USA 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 10:28– Uruguay 7s vs Germany 7s
- 10:50 – Kenya 7s vs Canada 7s
- 13:08 – Uruguay 7s vs USA 7s
- 13:30– Germany 7s vs Canada 7s
- 13:52 – Kenya 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 16:10 – USA 7s vs Canada 7s
- 16:32– Uruguay 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 16:54 – Kenya 7s vs Germany 7s
Sunday, 15 February 2026
- 12:06 – Canada 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 12:28 – USA 7s vs Germany 7s
- 12:50 – Kenya 7s vs Uruguay 7s
- 16:18 – Germany 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 16:40 – Uruguay 7s vs Canada 7s
- 17:02 – Kenya 7s vs USA 7s