How Did South Africa Turn a...

How Did South Africa Turn a Title Defence into a Double Celebration in Nairobi?

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How Did South Africa Turn a Title Defence into a Double Celebration in Nairobi?

South Africa have retained their Africa Women’s Sevens title by beating hosts and rivals Kenya 22-0. This marks South Africa’s 13th Africa Women’s Sevens title, extending their record as the continent’s most successful side. (Highlights, images and fixtures available below)

 

NAIROBI, Kenya – South Africa have retained their Africa Women’s Sevens title by beating hosts and rivals Kenya 22-0 in a pulsating final on Sunday, 16 November 2025 — the perfect icing on the cake after they had already achieved one of their two major tournament goals earlier in the day.

 

By simply reaching the final, the Springbok Women Sevens had secured qualification for next season’s HSBC SVNS Series Division Three, as Kenya entered the tournament with their Division Two ticket already confirmed.

 

Sunday’s triumph at the RFUEA Ground also served as a measure of revenge for South Africa, who were stunned 17-14 by Kenya in a play-off tournament in Los Angeles in May, a defeat that denied them promotion to Division Two. This year’s final was a repeat of the 2024 showdown in Ghana, but with a very different outcome.

Kenya enjoyed the lion’s share of possession early in the first half, but it didn’t take long for South Africa’s class to shine through. Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Zintle Mpupha, Patience Mokone and skipper Nadine Roos scored brilliantly orchestrated tries, with the Springbok Women Sevens leading 7-0 at halftime.

 

From there, it was a dominant and controlled performance. After successfully shutting down Kenya’s dangerous backline with disciplined defence, South Africa unleashed their trademark attacking flair, slicing through the hosts with ball in hand to seal a memorable victory.

 

This marks South Africa’s 13th Africa Women’s Sevens title, extending their record as the continent’s most successful side.

 

Earlier in the day, Uganda suffered a heartbreaking 17-10 defeat to Kenya, conceding a last-gasp try in a high-stakes semi-final. A win would have sent the Lady Cranes to the final — and given them a shot at the lone SVNS Division Three ticket.

 

Peace Lekuru scored twice for Uganda, touching down in both halves. She opened the scoring with a well-worked team try, but Freshia Oduor’s double — first on the outside and then from an interception — put Kenya ahead 10-5 at the break.

 

Lekuru struck again early in the second half to draw level, before Naomi Amuguni broke Ugandan hearts with a decisive run to score on the final play.

 

In the other semi-final, South Africa overwhelmed Madagascar 29-0, dominating from start to finish. Simamkele Namba crossed for a brace, while Maria Tshiremba, Zintle Mpupha and Liske Lategan added one try each.

 

Uganda, as they did last year, finished third after easing past Madagascar 38-12 in the bronze-medal match.

 

Organised by Rugby Africa (www.rugbyafrique.com), the continental governing body for rugby in Africa, in partnership with Kenya Rugby Union (https://www.kru.co.ke) took place from November 15 to November 16. All matches and highlights are available for streaming on Rugby Pass TV and Rugby Africa Facebook.

 

 

Top Try Scorer: Lydia Namabiro (Uganda), Lushomo Liwena (Zambia), Freshia Oduor (Kenya)

Top Overall Points: Lushomo Liwena ( Zambia)

 

Participating Teams:

Pool A: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius
Pool B: Kenya, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire
Pool C: Uganda, Zambia, Burkina Faso
Pool D: Madagascar, Tunisia, Egypt

 

Images, B-Roll & Match Highlights are Available (Copyright free): Click Here

 

Match Day 1: Saturday 15 November 2025 (Local Time) (EAT)

  • 09:00 – Tunisia (22) vs Egypt (0)
  • 09:22 – Zambia (52) vs Burkina Faso (0)
  • 09:44 – Ghana (57) vs Côte d’Ivoire (0)
  • 10:06 – Zimbabwe (29) vs Mauritius (5)
  • 12:00 – Madagascar (31) vs Egypt (7)
  • 12:22 – Uganda (50) vs Burkina Faso (0)
  • 12:44 – Kenya (44) vs Côte d’Ivoire (0)
  • 13:06 – South Africa (68) vs Mauritius (0)
  • 15:00 – Madagascar (21) vs Tunisia (14)
  • 15:22 – Uganda (20) vs Zambia (14)
  • 15:44 – South Africa (45) vs Zimbabwe (0)
  • 16:06 – Kenya (37) vs Ghana (0)
     

Match Day 2: Sunday 16 November 2025 (Local Time) (EAT)

  • 09:00 – Cup QF1- South Africa (48) vs Ghana (0)
  • 09:22 – Cup QF2- Madagascar (17) vs Zambia (7)
  • 09:44 – Cup QF3- Uganda (31) vs Tunisia (12)
  • 10:06 – Cup QF4- Kenya (33) vs Zimbabwe (12)
  • 10:28 – 9th Place SF1- Mauritius (22) vs Egypt (7)
  • 10:50 – 9th Place SF2- Côte d’Ivoire (5) vs Burkina Faso (10)
  • 11:30 – 5th Place SF1- Ghana (0) vs Zambia (7)
  • 11:52 – 5th Place SF2- Tunisia (22) vs Zimbabwe (0)
  • 12:14 – Cup SF1- South Africa (29) vs Madagascar (0)
  • 12:36 – Cup SF2- Uganda (10) vs Kenya (17)
  • 12:58 – 11th Place Final- Egypt (12) vs Côte d’Ivoire (5)
  • 13:20 – 9th Place Final- Mauritius (34) vs Burkina Faso (0)
  • 15:00 – 7th Place Final-Ghana (12) vs Zimbabwe (19)
  • 15:25 – 5th Place Final-Zambia (14) vs Tunisia (19)
  • 15:54 – Bronze- Madagascar (12) vs Uganda (38)
  • 16:30 – Gold- South Africa (22) vs  Kenya (0)
     

Written By Enock Muchinjo

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