The 2026 SportPesa National 7s circuit gets back in action on Saturday morning with the Embu 7s getting underway at Embu Stadium as teams battle for crucial points in the fifth leg of the 2026 campaign.
The two-day tournament, which will run from 5-6 September, brings together the best rugby 7s sides in the country, with teams looking to make their mark as the national circuit enters its crucial stages.
The Embu 7s follows four fiercely contested legs that have produced different champions. KCB Rugby started the campaign on a high by lifting the Prinsloo 7s title before Kabras RFC responded by winning the Dala 7s.
KCB then returned to the top at the Kabeberi 7s while Kabras claimed the Driftwood 7s to underline the intense battle between the two sides.
With the competition now kicking off in Embu, attention turns to how the leading teams respond, particularly as the race for the overall SportPesa National 7s circuit crown continues to take shape.
One of the sides expected to attract plenty of attention is Strathmore Leos who have established themselves as one of the most successful teams at the Embu 7s.
The Leos have won the tournament four times consecutive and will be hoping to use their familiarity with the competition to mount another serious challenge.
Strathmore, however, will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing outing at the Driftwood 7s. Their woeful performance in Mombasa came after they had finished as finalists at the Kabeberi 7s and they will be keen to restore their confidence as they return to action in Embu.
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Their opening assignment will be a difficult one as they face Nondescripts RFC at 10:00 AM before meeting Kabras RFC in the second round at 1:40 PM. They will then conclude their pool-stage campaign against Nakuru RFC at 4:00 PM.
Kabras, meanwhile, will be among the teams carrying momentum into the tournament after their triumph at the Driftwood 7s. The Western-based side will begin their campaign against Nakuru RFC at 10:20 AM before facing Strathmore Leos and later Nondescripts RFC.
KCB Rugby will also be under pressure to deliver after lifting the Kabeberi 7s title. The bankers begin their Embu campaign against KU Blak Blad at 9:00 AM before taking on Kisumu RFC and MSC Rugby in their remaining pool matches.
Hosts Embu RFC will have the backing of the home crowd as they seek to make the most of playing on familiar territory. They will face NYS Spades in their opening match before taking on Menengai Oilers and Kenya Harlequin in the second and third rounds respectively.
Other teams in action include Mwamba RFC, Zetech Oaks, Daystar Falcons, MMUST, Kenya Harlequin, Menengai Oilers, Kisumu RFC, MSC Rugby, KU Blak Blad and Nakuru RFC.
With three rounds of pool-stage action scheduled for today teams will be looking to make strong starts and secure favourable positions ahead of Sunday’s knockout stages.
The opening match is scheduled for 8:40 AM, with MSC Rugby taking on Kisumu RFC, while KCB Rugby and KU Blak Blad will follow at 9:00 AM.
As the SportPesa National 7s circuit heads into its fifth leg, Embu promises another weekend of high-intensity rugby, with established contenders looking to maintain their momentum and others desperate to close the gap in the race for the overall title.
Embu 7s Order of Play
Division One Round One
8:40 AM: MSC Rugby vs Kisumu RFC
9:00 AM: KCB Rugby vs KU Blak Blad
9:20 AM: NYS Spades vs Embu RFC
9:40 AM: Menengai Oilers vs Kenya Harlequin
10:00 AM: Nondescripts RFC vs Strathmore Leos
10:20 AM: Kabras RFC vs Nakuru RFC
10:40 AM: Mwamba RFC vs Zetech Oaks
11:00 AM: Daystar Falcons vs MMUST
Division One Round Two
12:00 PM: MSC Rugby vs KU Blak Blad
12:20 PM: KCB Rugby vs Kisumu RFC
12:40 PM: NYS Spades vs Kenya Harlequin
1:00 PM: Menengai Oilers vs Embu RFC
1:20 PM: Nondescripts RFC vs Nakuru RFC
1:40 PM: Kabras RFC vs Strathmore Leos
2:00 PM: Mwamba RFC vs MMUST
2:20 PM: Daystar Falcons vs Zetech Oaks
Division One Round Three
3:20 PM: KU Blak Blad vs Kisumu RFC
3:40 PM: Kenya Harlequin vs Embu RFC
4:00 PM: Nakuru RFC vs Strathmore Leos
4:20 PM: MMUST vs Zetech Oaks
4:40 PM: KCB Rugby vs MSC Rugby
5:00 PM: Menengai Oilers vs NYS Spades
5:20 PM: Kabras RFC vs Nondescripts RFC
5:40 PM: Daystar Falcons vs Mwamba RFC
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