The 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit is officially underway after KCB Rugby Club emerged victorious at the Prinsloo 7s, defeating rivals Kabras Sugar 19-12 in a gripping men’s Cup final at Nakuru Athletic Club.
The victory handed the Bankers the first piece of silverware of the new campaign and an early advantage in the race for this year’s national sevens title. It also marked a statement start to KCB’s title defence as Kenya’s top clubs renewed one of the country’s fiercest rugby rivalries.
In the women’s competition, Mwamba RFC also celebrated a successful weekend after overcoming Kiambaa in the final to lift the Prinsloo 7s women’s title.
The tournament, held from July 25 to 26 in Nakuru, served as the opening leg of the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit, setting the tone for what promises to be another fiercely contested season.
KCB arrived in Nakuru determined to make an early statement, and they did exactly that.
After navigating a competitive field, the Bankers booked a place in the Cup final against long-time rivals Kabras Sugar, producing a composed display to secure a 19-12 victory.
The win not only earned KCB the Prinsloo 7s trophy but also maximum points in the circuit standings, giving them valuable momentum heading into the remaining tournaments.
The result further strengthened KCB’s credentials as one of the favourites for this year’s overall National Sevens Circuit title.
For Kabras Sugar, the defeat was disappointing, but their run to the final demonstrated they remain among the strongest contenders and are likely to challenge KCB throughout the season.
The women’s competition also delivered exciting rugby, with Mwamba RFC emerging as the team to beat.
Mwamba defeated Kiambaa in the final to clinch the women’s Prinsloo 7s title after a dominant campaign.
The victory highlighted the club’s growing strength in women’s rugby and provided an ideal start to their National Sevens Circuit campaign.
As more clubs continue to invest in women’s rugby, the competition is expected to become even more competitive across the remaining legs of the circuit.
The Prinsloo 7s once again lived up to its reputation as one of Kenya’s premier sevens tournaments.
Hosted at the historic Nakuru Athletic Club, the opening leg attracted some of the country’s top men’s and women’s teams, with fans treated to two days of high-paced rugby, dramatic upsets and entertaining finals.
With every point earned contributing to the overall standings, every match carried added significance beyond the weekend’s silverware.
The National Sevens Circuit now heads west for the Dala 7s, scheduled for August 1 and 2 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu.
Hosted by Kisumu RFC, the tournament is expected to attract another strong turnout as clubs look to build on their performances in Nakuru.
For KCB, the objective will be straightforward—maintain their winning form and extend their lead at the top of the standings.
Kabras Sugar, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back after narrowly missing out on the opening title, while other clubs will view the Kisumu leg as an opportunity to close the gap on the early pace-setters.