The 2024 Kenya Rugby Union National Sevens Circuit is set to reach its thrilling conclusion this weekend at the Prinsloo 7s in Nakuru.
Kenya Harlequin FC are standing on the cusp of securing the overall title. Needing only a semi-final finish to clinch the crown, Quins are looking to cap off a dominant season in style.
Prinsloo 7s Pool A
Harlequin’s stellar form throughout the season, including their recent Driftwood 7s title win, places them firmly at the top of the standings with 97 points.
Under the experienced guidance of coach Paul Murunga Amunavi, Quins have been a force, boasting two Cup titles and consistently reaching the semi-finals across the season.
Kenya Harlequin in action against MMUST. PHOTO/Brian Mwenje
They enter Prinsloo 7s as the team to beat, needing only a semi-final appearance to lock in their first Circuit title.
However, they are not alone in Pool A. Menengai Oilers, despite a disappointing run in Mombasa where they missed the quarter-finals for the first time this season, will be determined to bounce back and aim for their second Prinsloo 7s title.
Coach Gibson Weru’s charges have reached back-to-back finals earlier in the season and will be looking to close out the year on a high.
Zetech Oaks are also in Pool A, having delivered a commendable performance at Driftwood 7s where they went unbeaten on day one. While their journey was cut short in the quarter-finals, they remain contenders in this pool, eager to make another deep run.
Mombasa RFC rounds out the group, looking to improve after being part of an intensely competitive field in Mombasa.
Pool B:
National 7s Circuit holders KCB Rugby, just nine points behind Quins with 86 points, will be fighting tooth and nail for the Circuit title in Nakuru.
The Bankers have reached four semi-finals this season and are still very much in the mix. A strong run in Nakuru, coupled with a slip-up from Quins, could see them challenge for the top spot. KCB are eyeing the fifth Prinsloo 7s title.
Nondies, coached by Kenya 7s legend Ben Nyambu, will be looking to rekindle the form that saw them upset KCB in the Christie 7s.
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Nondies have had a relatively strong season and will be aiming for another quarter-final appearance. Mwamba RFC, traditionally one of the strongest sides in Prinsloo 7s with five titles to their name, will be looking to improve after a tough season that has seen them miss out on the quarter-finals in the last five events.
The home team, Nakuru RFC, will be hoping to leverage their home advantage and avoid the fate of other hosts like Mombasa, Mwamba and Kisumu, who failed to progress from the group stages in their respective home tournaments.
Pool C:
KU Blak Blad enter Prinsloo 7s with renewed confidence after a breakthrough performance at Driftwood 7s, where they upset Kabras RFC to claim third place.
It was their first time reaching the last eight this season, and they will be looking to carry that momentum into Nakuru.
Strathmore Leos and Catholic Monks have had mixed seasons and will be eager to make a push for the quarter-finals.
Leos have reached the fifth-place finals in the last two outings, while Monks had a poor showing in Mombasa, where they managed just one point.
Both teams are looking to redeem themselves in this varsity-dominated pool. MMUST rounds out the group and will be seeking their fifth quarter-final appearance of the season after being denied quarters entry last season.
Pool D:
Kabras RFC, despite not reaching the podium in Mombasa, remain in contention for the overall title. Their semi-final loss to Blak Blad handed Quins a crucial advantage, but the sugar millers still have a chance to turn things around.
As defending Prinsloo 7s champions, Kabras will be determined to win the tournament and hope for a Quins stumble.
They are joined in Pool D by Daystar Falcons, who have shown marked improvement in the last two events, including a fifth-place finish in Mombasa. Daystar will be looking to cap off their season with another strong showing.
Kabete Stallions, another team in the pool, are aiming for their first-ever quarter-final appearance after managing to avoid relegation from the top tier throughout the season.
Kabras RFC players James Olela, Brian Mutua and William Mwanji. PHOTO/Brian Mwenje
Kabarak University completes the pool and will also be looking to make a mark.
With Kenya Harlequin FC just one semi-final away from securing the Circuit title, all eyes will be on Nakuru to see if they can maintain their dominance or if their challengers, KCB or Kabras, can stage a late comeback.
Fans can expect an intense weekend of rugby as the 2024 National Sevens Circuit reaches its thrilling climax at the Prinsloo 7s.
Current National 7s Circuit Standings
1.Kenya Harlequin – 97 points
2.Kabras RFC – 88 points
3.KCB Rugby – 86 points
4.Menengai Oilers – 68 points
5.Strathmore Leos – 56 points
6.Catholic Monks – 56 points
7.MMUST – 52 points
8.Nondescripts – 49 points
9.Blak Blad – 41 points
10.Daystar Falcons – 40 points
11. Nakuru 38 points
12. Stallions 23 points
13. Mwamba 19 points
14. Zetech 12 points
15. Homeboyz 11 points
Prinsloo 7s Pools
Pool A: Kenya Harlequin, Zetech Oaks, Menengai Oilers, Mombasa
Pool B: KCB Rugby, Nondescripts, Mwamba, Nakuru
Pool C: Blak Blad, Strathmore Leos, MMUST, Catholic Monks
Pool D: Kabras RFC, Daystar Falcons, Stallions, Kabarak University
