- Kabras Sugar and Black Pirates will face off in the 2026 Enterprise Cup final in a thrilling cross-border showdown.
- The match will be played on Saturday, May 30, at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.
- Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM EAT.
The 2025/26 Enterprise Cup final is set to deliver a blockbuster showdown on Saturday, 30 May, at the RFUEA Grounds Nairobi, with Kenyan giants Kabras Sugar taking on Uganda’s Stanbic Black Pirates in a cross-border clash bringing the country’s 15s season to a close.
This hotly anticipated battle will kick off at 3:00pm as two of East Africa’s top sides fight for the oldest rugby trophy in the region, one that dates way back to the old-school days of the format after recent years of being a solo Kenyan affair.
Fresh off a historic fifth straight Kenya Cup championship, Kabras Sugar heads into this year’s final with even more on the line, as they chase a ridiculous sixth consecutive Enterprise Cup title, having now appeared in every final since 2021.
2026 Enterprise Cup final preview
The defending champs have once again proven their firepower throughout the campaign, bulldozing through the competition with a string of commanding performances.
Kabras kicked off their knockout run in emphatic fashion on 21 March in Uganda, where they dismantled Platinum Credit Heathens 61-19 in the cross-border quarter-finals.
They then returned home to the ASK Showground Kakamega, where they narrowly edged out last year’s runners-up Menengai Oilers 29-18.
With another final now within reach, Kabras roll into the game bursting with confidence and eager to defend their crown once more.
Despite their Kenya Cup triumph, head coach Carlos Katywa admitted his side drifted away from the game plan against KCB Rugby, something they have been keen to address ahead of the clash with Black Pirates.
“We went away from our structure, too much individual play, which on another day could have hurt us. Heading into the Enterprise Cup final, we need to play to our strengths, stick to the system, and lean on our experience.”
Standing in their way, however, is a determined Black Pirates side that has quietly put together one of the tournament’s most impressive runs.
The Ugandan outfit became the only team from their country to advance past the semi-finals and into the final.
Their journey began with a narrow but crucial 11-10 victory over Kenyan powerhouse KCB Rugby in the quarter-finals held in Uganda on March.
The Pirates then followed it up with another gritty performance in the semis, squeaking past Nondescripts RFC 20-17 at Kings Park Arena on 11 April to punch their ticket to the big dance.
Head coach Marvin Odongo said: “This final is bigger than the Pirates badge. We’re representing Ugandan rugby and an entire nation that believes in what this squad has achieved.”
The Enterprise Cup returned this year to a cross-border format for the first time since 1999, with four Kenyan and four Ugandan clubs entering at the quarter-final stage.
For Black Pirates, this is more than just another final. It’s a chance to turn a remarkable run into history and haul a major regional trophy back to Uganda.
Now in its 96th year since being founded in 1930, the Enterprise Cup is the second-oldest rugby tournament in Africa, trailing only South Africa’s Currie Cup.
The Black Pirates will also be looking to reclaim this silverware, with only one Ugandan side – the now-defunct Kampala RFC – having ever gotten their hands on this historic prize.
They did so four times, snagging it in 1956 and pulling off a three-peat from 1968 to 1970.
Kabras Sugar vs Black Pirates Enterprise Cup final squads
Black Pirates Starting XV: 1. Alema Ruhweza 2. Nathan Bwambale 3. Ivan Kabagambe 4. Eliphaz Emong 5. Frank Kidega 6. Moses Zziwa 7. Sydney Gongodyo 8. Alex Aturinda 9. Conrad Wanyama 10. William Nkore 11. Allan Karuhanga 12. Isaac Massanganzira 13. Davis Shimwa 14. Jeremiah Okello 15. Timothy Kisiga
Subs: Sunday Jaguar, Ariho Muhumuza, Umar Duff, Humphrey Tashobya, John Paul Atim, Stephen Alul, Eric Mulamula, Haruna Muhammad.
Kabras Sugar Starting XV: 1. Edward Mwaura 2. Eugine Sifuna 3. Ephraim Oduor 4. Hillary Odhiambo 5. George Nyambua 6. Collins Indeche 7. Patrick Lumumba 8. Jeans on Misoga 9. Roy Maruti 10. Ntabeni Dukisa 11. Derrick Ashiundu 12. Walter Okoth 13. Bryceson Adaka 14. Mathias Osimbo 15. Eric Cantona
Subs: Teddy Akala, Emmanuel Othieno, Asuman Mugerwa, Shem Joseph, Alfred Orege, Mike Lukusi, Jackson Sketta, Griffin Chao.
