Kenya 7s improved their HSBC performance by finishing 7^th after seeing off Great Britain 32-17 in the play off. This is a better finish than the 10^th last week in Dubai, and the team that has just made a return to the series, gave a good display in South Africa.

Cape Town Day 1

At the Cape Town series, Kenya opened the tournament against Australia who had beaten them last week in Dubai.

Shujaa had to come from behind to win the game 19 to 12. Australia opened the scoring early, with James Turner crossing the try line in the second minute. Hayden Sargeant converted the try and added another unconverted try a minute later, giving Australia a 12-0 lead at halftime.

However, in the opening moments of the second half, Kenya mounted a comeback. George Ooro initiated the attack, setting up Adoyo for a potential try. However, Australia countered the move. Wekesa capitalized on a turnover, offloading to Asati, who sent the ball wide to Wekesa for a successful try, converted by Nygel Amaitsa. The game was now at 12-7.

Kenya was in control of the second half, dominating possession and territory. Pressure led to Abukuse being illegally tackled off the ball, resulting in a penalty try that extended Kenya's lead to 14-12. The referee also sent the Australian player to the bin, giving Shujaa a brief numerical advantage. 

An Australian ruck was met by a strong and clean counter ruck from the Shujaas. The ball was free for George Ooro, who ran skipped a low tackle on the blind side and extended the lead with a try that was not converted.

Kenya faced Spain in their second pool match aiming to secure a place in the semifinals. The first try was by the Spanish after they cleared out a Kenyan ruck. Francisco Cosculluela sliced through the Kenyan defensive line. He successfully grounded the ball and added the conversion, giving his team a valuable lead at halftime.

In the second half, Shujaa had a quick response, with Patrick Odong’o receiving a pass from the Tony Omondi to sprint down the wing skipping a challenge for a try under the sticks. A successful conversion tied the score at 7-7.

From a ruck Spain broke clear to score and convert a try winning the game 14-7. This is the 7^th game in a row Kenya has lost to the Spaniards, a run stretching back to 2019.

5^th Place Play Off Loss

Kenya Sevens suffered a 26-14 defeat to Argentina in the 5^th Place Semifinal One Clash. This was a game that showed the unforgiving side of 7s rugby. Patrick Odong’o was at it again with a clean run from Kenya’s 5 after a ruck to score the first try. This was successfully converted by Nygel Amaista.

Kevin wekesa had a chance to run clear after an Argentine player kicked the ball right into his hands, but he lost control of the ball forcing him to kick it forward, an incident that was judged to be a knock on. ball not in control.

However, he was to have his try after an offload from Ooro present Kevin with the chance to give Shujaa a second try which Amaista also converted.

With two minutes remaining in the first half, Argentina capitalized on a defensive error by and Herman Schulz scored a try to make it 14-7. Argentina's equaled the score, when Abukuse was penalized for not releasing the ball, resulting in a try by Osadzcuk which was converted by Luciano Gonzalez. 

10 seconds from halftime and tied 14 all, a Shujaa player misheard the hooter and kicked the ball thinking it would take them to halftime. This mistake gifted Argentina a line out. The South Americans capitalized to finish the half leading 19-14 after a try by Agustin Fraga. Shujaa concede another try in the second half to lose the game 26-14.

Shujaa Trounce Great Britain

Despite their earlier loss to Argentina, Kenya's Shujaa team was determined to finish strong. They dominated Great Britain in the 7^th place play-off, securing a convincing 32-17 victory. Tries from co-captains George Ooro and Samuel Asati, along with a brace from Patrick Odongo, propelled Shujaa to a 22-5 halftime lead.

While Great Britain managed to score a try in the second half, Shujaa's dominance continued, with Nygel Amaitsa adding two more tries to seal the win. 

Feature Image credit: Kenya 7s