2025 National 7s Circuit permutations: What KCB and Strathmore need on final day to be champions

By Collins Amanga

Posted on September 10, 2025

Strathmore Leos vs KCB in a past clash. PHOTO/ KCB Rugb/Facebook

The 2025 National 7s Circuit will reach its climax on Sunday, 14 September, at Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu, with Dala 7s serving as the final leg of the six-tournament series.

KCB Rugby head into the finale as frontrunners after collecting 104 points from the first five tournaments, while Strathmore Leos sit second on 95 points. With a tournament win worth 22 points, the maximum tally for the season is 132 points.

KCB, Strathmore’s contrasting paths

KCB Rugby are in the pole position to reclaim the title, which would make them the most successful side in the National 7s Circuit.

David Williams holding the National 7s Circuit trophy. PHOTO/David Williams/Instagram

The maximum points they can collect this season is 126 out of a possible 132, as they currently have 104 points after five rounds.

The bankers have been in imperious form, winning the Driftwood, Christie, and Kabeberi 7s, while also finishing strongly in Prinsloo and Embu. They will be hoping to join Homeboyz, who appeared in all the finals in 2016 and ended that campaign with over 128 points.

KCB are also in a relatively easy pool on paper, given they have topped every pool this season since missing out on the quarters in last year’s Prinsloo 7s. This season, only Strathmore Leos (twice) have managed to beat them in the entire campaign.

On the other hand, Strathmore Leos have not lifted the National 7s Circuit title since 2009, and this season initially looked like their best chance to end that long wait.

However, last weekend’s slip-up has left them with a mountain to climb heading into the Dala 7s finale.

Menengai Oilers can only achieve a total of 99 points meaning they cannot surpass log leaders KCB Rugby.

KCB’s Advantage

The bankers now hold a nine-point lead over Strathmore Leos and need to score at least 14 points at Dala to secure the title outright.

Since 14 points do not exist in the official points table, KCB effectively need to finish 4th or better (15 points) to become National 7s Circuit champions regardless of what Strathmore achieves.

KCB Title Scenarios at Dala 7s

Finish 4th or better (15+ points):
KCB automatically win the overall title regardless of Strathmore’s results.
Finish 5th (13 points):
- KCB end with 117 points.
- If Strathmore win Dala 7s (22 points), both teams finish tied at 117 points, and tie-breakers will decide the champion.
- If Strathmore finish 2nd or lower, KCB still take the title.
Finish below 5th:
The title race depends entirely on Strathmore’s performance.

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Strathmore’s route to title

The students must outscore KCB by at least 10 points at Dala 7s to win the circuit because they trail by 9 (95 vs 104). Here is how the permutations unfold:

Here’s the breakdown based on where Strathmore finish:

If Strathmore win Dala 7s (22 points):
- KCB must finish 6th (12 points) or worse for Strathmore to win the title.
- If KCB finish 5th (13 points), both teams tie on 117 points → tie-breaker decides the champion.
- If KCB finish 4th or higher (15+ points) → KCB win the title outright.
If Strathmore finish 2nd (19 points):
- They need KCB to finish 9th (9 points) or worse to win.

If KCB finish with 10 points (fifth place semis), there’s a tie; 12 points or more → KCB keep the title

If Strathmore finish 3rd (17 points):
- KCB must finish 10th (7 points) or worse for Strathmore to win.
- If KCB score 8 points, there’s a tie; 10 points or more → KCB champions.
If Strathmore finish 4th (15 points):
- KCB must score 5 points or fewer for Strathmore to win.
- If KCB score 6 points, there’s a tie; 7+ points → KCB champions.
If Strathmore finish 5th (13 points):
- KCB must score 3 points or fewer to lose the title.
- 4 points → tie; 5+ points → KCB champions.
If Strathmore finish 6th (12 points) or lower:
- KCB are champions unless they have a total disaster, scoring only 1–2 points.