The 2026 National 7s Circuit gets underway this weekend at the Nakuru Athletics Club on July 25-26, with 30 matches scheduled for the opening day.
The fixtures will begin as early as 8:00 am, with defending 2024 circuit champions Kenya Harlequin FC starting their campaign against Embu RFC in the opening match on Saturday morning.
Action will continue throughout the day at 20-minute intervals, with the final women’s pool match scheduled for 5:40 pm.
Among the notable teams featuring on day one are defending Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar RFC, who missed last season’s circuit, paving the way for reigning champions KCB Rugby to claim the title.
The Thika Road-based bankers are the second-most successful side in Prinsloo 7s history with four titles and remain the only team to win three consecutive editions, achieving the feat in 2012, 2013 and 2014. However, since their last triumph in 2017, KCB are yet to lift the Nakuru title in the past six editions.
Mwamba RFC remain the most successful team in Prinsloo 7s history, having won back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008, as well as the 2010 and 2011 editions during their golden generation. Their most recent title came in 2019, when Mike Okello’s sudden-death try secured victory against Homeboyz.
Other teams featuring on day one in the men’s category include Menengai Oilers, Kenya Harlequin FC, Strathmore Leos, Nakuru RFC, Nondescripts RFC, Mwamba RFC, Daystar Falcons, MMUST, Impala RFC, Kisumu RFC, Embu RFC, KU Blakblad and NYS Spades.
The women’s competition is also expected to deliver exciting action, with Impala Roans, Jackals Women, Mwamba RFC and NYS Ladies among the teams targeting a strong start.
In the men’s Division One, Pool A features Kabras Sugar, Kenya Harlequin, Embu RFC and Mwamba RFC, while Pool B has Strathmore Leos, MMUST, Daystar Falcons and Kisumu RFC.
Defending champions KCB are in Pool C alongside NYS Spades, CUEA Monks and Nondescripts, while Pool D consists of Menengai Oilers, hosts Nakuru RFC, Impala RFC and KU Blakblad.
The women’s competition has two pools. Pool A includes Mwamba, Impala, NYS Ladies and Jackals Women, while Pool B has Northern Suburbs, Kenya Harlequin, Kiambaa Ladies and Pioneer Ladies.
In Men’s Division Two, Pool A comprises Makueni Ravens, KCA, Kabarak University and NYS Scorpions. Pool B features Zetech Oaks, Mount Kenya University-Thika, Nandi Bears and University of Eldoret Trojans.
Pool C includes Homeboyz Rugby, Northern Suburbs, Kitale Rugby and Egerton Wasps, while Pool D has Administration Police Warriors, Stallions Rugby, Eldopoly Community and Molo Rugby Club.