- SportPesa 7s 2026 got underway with the Prinsloo 7s at the Nakuru Athletic Club (NAC Grounds).
- Prinsloo marks the first stop of the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit – the first of six legs.
- Round one, played on Saturday morning, saw the big guns kick off strongly, while the defending champions got a rude awakening from MMUST.
The SportPesa National Sevens Circuit 2026 burst into life on Saturday morning in Nakuru, with the Prinsloo 7s serving as the thrilling opener of the six-leg series.
At the Nakuru Athletic Club (NAC Grounds), the season kicked off with Division One delivering some electrifying first-round matchups and a few massive surprises.
Kenya Harlequins, Kabras Sugar, MMUST, Daystar Falcons, KCB Rugby, KU Blak Blad, and Menengai Oilers all launched their 2026 campaigns with victories, setting the stage for a two-day tournament packed with drama.
ALSO READ: Prinsloo 7s: Where to watch, pools, tickets, and order of play
While the big guns fired on all cylinders, defending champions Strathmore Leos stumbled out of the blocks, falling to a shock 19-14 defeat at the hands of MMUST in Group B.
Meanwhile, runners-up KCB Rugby shrugged off a gritty Nondies challenge to secure a 29-12 win.
The Leos started with intent, pressing MMUST deep into their 22 just four minutes in. Patrick Kluivert stretched over for the opening five-pointer, with Arnold Muita adding the extras.
But just as Strathmore thought they were dictating the tempo, they were jolted back to reality before halftime.
Donald Litali powered over for a well-taken try on the right wing, shrugging off defenders, and Flavian Otiyo knocked over the conversion to level the scores.
From the restart, Strathmore knocked on from the air, but the referee played advantage for MMUST.
Desmond Kirwa produced a slick offload to plant the ball just beside the uprights, and Otiyo again added the extras.
Another shaky restart saw MMUST pounce on the opportunity. Gabriel Ayimba attempted to offload to Nashon Mwangemi, but Ryan Makaka intercepted and raced through to hand his side a 19-7 lead at the break.
In the second half, the Leos fought hard to wrestle back control and grabbed a try through Mwangemi, which was converted.
But despite their push to claw level, MMUST’s defence stood firm, shutting out the reigning champions.
Over in Group C, the Bankers got off to a flying start. Brian Wahinya offloaded to Elvis Olukusi on the right wing, and Olukusi powered through the Nondies defence to hand KCB a 5-0 lead.
Just before the break, Nondies responded with a slick series of offloads, and Crispin Omondi dotted down, with Timothy Lugalia adding the extras to put his side ahead.
But KCB leaned on their experience, holding onto possession even after the hooter.
They piled pressure on Nondies inside the 22, and Vincent Onyala barged over to give his side a 10-7 halftime edge.
KCB came out with intent in the second half, and Floyd Wabwire crossed for a converted try, and Onyala grabbed his second as the Bankers stretched to a 24-7 lead.
Victor Rogena’s late converted try gave Nondies a glimmer of hope, but it was not enough to stop the Bankers, who added another through Festus Shiasi to seal a dominant victory.
Prinsloo 7s results and order of play Division One
Round One Results
Pool A
- 8:00 AM – Kenya Harlequins 26-7 Embu RFC
- 8:20 AM – Kabras Sugar 26-12 Mwamba RFC
Pool B
- 8:40 AM – Daystar Falcons 41-0 Kisumu RFC
- 9:00 AM – Strathmore Leos 14-19 MMUST
Pool C
- 9:20 AM – CUEA Monks 12-5 NYS Spades
- 9:40 AM – KCB Rugby 29-12 Nondescripts RFC
Pool D
- 10:00 AM – Nakuru RFC 7-12 KU Blak Blad
- 10:20 AM – Menengai Oilers – Impala RFC – (Oilers walkover)
Round Two results
Pool A
- 11:20 AM – Kenya Harlequins 12-5 Mwamba RFC
- 11:40 AM – Kabras RFC 47-0 Embu RFC
Pool B
- 12:00 PM – Daystar Falcons 7-10 MMUST
- 12:20 PM – Strathmore Leos 36-0 Kisumu RFC
Pool C
- 12:40 PM – CUEA Monks 10-17 Nondescripts RFC
- 1:00 PM – KCB Rugby 14-0 NYS Spades
Pool D
- 1:20 PM – Nakuru RFC 25-5 Impala RFC
- 1:40 PM – Menengai Oilers 12-17 KU Blak Blad
Round Three order of play
- 2:40 PM – Mwamba RFC vs Embu RFC
- 3:00 PM – MMUST vs Kisumu RFC
- 3:20 PM – Nondescripts RFC vs NYS Spades
- 3:40 PM – Impala RFC vs KU Blak Blad
- 4:00 PM – Kabras RFC vs Kenya Harlequins
- 4:20 PM – Strathmore Leos vs Daystar Falcons
- 4:40 PM – KCB Rugby vs CUEA Monks
- 5:00 PM – Menengai Oilers vs Nakuru RFC