Kenya and South Africa Eye SVNS Promotion as Final Rounds Kick Off Tomorrow in South America
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – After their nation hosted the first leg of the HSBC SVNS Division Two in February, a historic first for any African country outside South Africa, Kenya’s women’s and men’s Sevens teams are back on the road for the crucial final two phases of the three-legged tournament.
The Lionesses and Shujaa are in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, this weekend (21–22 March), alongside South Africa Women, as all three African teams continue their push for promotion into the top-tier HSBC SVNS Series next season. The final leg will take place in Brazil a week later, on 28–29 March.
The top four teams in both the women’s and men’s competitions, at the conclusion of the three SVNS Division 2 legs, will qualify for the elite World Championship scheduled for May and June.
Kenya Women did not enjoy a flying start in the opening SVNS 2 leg at home in Nairobi last month, finishing fifth in a tournament won by Argentina, with South Africa, Spain and China completing the top four. With back-to-back rounds in Uruguay and Brazil to conclude the campaign, the Lionesses know they must step up in Montevideo.
“We are grateful for our fans’ incredible support in Nairobi,” Kenya Women captain Sheila Chajira told local media before departure for South America. “Our focus now shifts to Uruguay and Brazil, where we aim to win our matches and secure qualification for Division One.”
The Lionesses have been boosted by the return of Faith Livoi and Christabel Lindo, who both missed the historic Nairobi leg.
The stakes are high in Montevideo and São Paulo over the next two weekends, with promotion and World Championship qualification on the line.
Kenya Men, meanwhile, appear to have stronger prospects of qualifying than their female counterparts. In Nairobi, Shujaa finished third behind winners Germany and second-placed the United States.
Shujaa will be targeting another top-three finish in Uruguay to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the World Championship. At that tournament, the top four teams from SVNS 2 will face the top eight from SVNS 1, with the bottom four sides relegated after the finale.
Meanwhile, South Africa Women’s Sevens head coach Cecil Afrika has reinforced his squad with the return of experienced player Catha Jacobs. A veteran of 26 Test caps and two Rugby World Cup appearances in the 15s format, Jacobs has not featured for the Springbok Women’s Sevens since 2019.
Eleven players from the Nairobi leg have been retained for the final two tournaments in South America. In addition to a core group of experienced players, Afrika has introduced new talent in Maceala Samboya and Shanidiné Bezuidenhout, who are set to make their international Sevens debuts.
“Catha is physical and has a good presence on the field, while Maceala is a very special player, very elusive with fast feet,” Afrika told the SARugby website.
“Shanidiné is new to Sevens rugby, but she is a quick learner and has very good skills carried over from her netball days. They slotted in well with the rest of the squad and I think we have a good and balanced team travelling.”
While Afrika was pleased with his side’s third-place finish in Nairobi, both the coaching staff and players identified key areas for improvement following the opening leg.
“We looked at areas of improvement and worked on those,” Afrika said. “Our restarts were poor in Kenya and we did not finish enough opportunities when we were on attack in our opponents’ half.”
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Match Day 1: Saturday 21 March 2026 (GMT)
Women
- 14:00 – Kenya vs China
- 14:23 – South Africa vs Spain
- 16:48 – South Africa vs China
- 17:34 – Kenya vs Argentina
- 19:36 – South Africa vs Brazil
- 19:49 – Kenya vs Spain
Men
- 15:32 – Kenya vs USA
- 18:20 – Kenya vs Canada
- 21:08 – Kenya vs Belgium
Match Day 2: Sunday 22 March 2026 (GMT)
Women
- 17:23 – South Africa vs Kenya
- 19:53 – Kenya vs Brazil
- 20:39 – South Africa vs Argentina
Men
- 18:55 – Kenya vs Germany
- 21:48 – Kenya vs Uruguay
Squads
Kenya Women (Lionesses):
Sheila Chajira (captain), Faith Livoi, Christabel Lindo, Naomi Amuguni, Charity Nillah, Stellah Wafula, Edith Nariaka, Judith Auma, Sinaida Mokaya, Moreen Muritu, Janet Okello, Freshia Oduor, Marvel Oswago.
Kenya Men (Shujaa):
George Oroo (co-captain), Samuel Asati (co-captain), John Okoth, Dennis Akubuse, Vincent Onyala, Kevin Wekesa, Patrick Odongo, Festus Shiasi, Nygel Amaitsa, Floyd Wabwire, Christant Ojwang, David Nyangige, Gabriel Ayimba, Brian Tanga.
South Africa Women’s Sevens:
Nadine Roos (captain), Asisipho Plaatjies, Patience Mokone, Maria Tshiremba, Byrhandré Dolf, Liske Lategan, Simamkele Namba, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Shanidiné Bezuidenhout, Catha Jacobs, Ayanda Malinga, Lerato Makua, Maceala Samboya, Shannon-Lee Windvogel.
Written by Enock Muchinjo
