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Shujaa set for crucial Bordeaux Sevens mission as promotion dream beckons
03rd June, 2026 06:18 PM
With only two days remaining before the start of the Bordeaux Sevens, Kenya’s national men’s rugby sevens team, Shujaa, is intensifying preparations for what could be one of their most important assignments of the season.
The tournament presents a golden opportunity for Kenya to secure a place among the world’s elite once again, with the team targeting a top-eight finish that would earn promotion back to the HSBC SVNS Main Series for the 2026/27 campaign.
After a season of rebuilding and competing in the second-tier circuit, Shujaa now stand on the verge of reclaiming their status among the top rugby sevens nations. The Bordeaux tournament will bring together several strong international sides, providing a stern test for the Kenyan outfit.
Kenya have been drawn into a challenging pool that includes rugby sevens powerhouses Fiji, South Africa and Great Britain.
Bordeaux Sevens mission
Shujaa will kick off their campaign on Friday, June 5, 2026, with a tough encounter against Fiji at 3:44 pm East African Time. The Pacific Islanders are widely regarded as one of the most successful teams in rugby sevens history and will provide an early benchmark for Kenya’s promotion ambitions.
Later the same day, Kenya will return to action against South Africa at 9:36 pm EAT. The Blitzboks remain one of the most consistent sides on the global circuit, making the fixture another major test for the East Africans.
The pool stage will conclude on Saturday, June 6, 2026,when Shujaa take on Great Britain at 11:44 am EAT. The match could prove decisive in determining Kenya’s final standing and progression in the competition.
Disastrous Valladolid Sevens
Kenya’s squad heads into the tournament after the penultimate leg of the Valladolid HSBC SVNS World Championship push with a 14–5 loss to France, settling for eighth place this Sunday, May 31, 2026.
The finish is a position lower than their seventh-place finish at the Hong Kong circuit, which concluded on Sunday, April 20, 2026. The leg in Spain proved a tough ask for Kevin Wambua’s side, who slumped to defeats in their opening two group matches.
A spirited start against the Wallabies, inspired by brilliant tries from Patrick Odongo and co-captain Samwel Asati, was not enough as the team fell 15–10 to Australia before South Africa compounded matters for them in a 14–0 loss. Shujaa secured their first victory in Valladolid, edging Great Britain 12–7 in a tense must-win pool A clash.
