World SVNs Series

Valladolid 7s quarterfinal pairings confirmed after conclusion of group stage

By Luvisia Amanga

Posted on May 30, 2026

A scrum contest between Kenya 7 (Shujaa) and Nyati in the Safari 7s. PHOTO/Screengrab

The stage is set for an exciting knockout round at the Valladolid SVNS World Championship after the Cup quarter-final pairings for both the men’s and women’s competitions were confirmed following the conclusion of the pool stages on Saturday.

For Kenya 7s, a daunting challenge awaits as they take on Pool A winners Australia in the men’s Cup quarter-finals at 17:49 EAT.

The clash will mark the second meeting between the two sides in Valladolid after Australia edged Shujaa 15-10 in extra time during their opening pool match.

Despite suffering defeats to Australia and South Africa, Kenya booked their place in the last eight as one of the best third-placed teams thanks to their crucial 12-7 victory over Great Britain.

Australia progressed as Pool A winners, while Kenya sneaked into the quarter-finals after showing resilience in a difficult pool.

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Pool B runners-up New Zealand will face Pool C runners-up Fiji in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter at 17:27.

Hosts Spain, who topped Pool C, have been rewarded with a quarter-final showdown against Pool A runners-up South Africa at 18:11 (17:11 SA time). The Spaniards have been one of the standout teams of the tournament and will be eager to continue their impressive run in front of their home supporters.

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Argentina, who finished top of Pool B, will take on France, another of the best third-placed teams, in the final men’s quarter-final at 18:33.

In the women’s competition, Australia will face France in the opening Cup quarter-final at 15:49 before New Zealand take on hosts Spain at 16:11.

Canada will battle Japan in the third quarter-final at 16:33, while the USA face Fiji in the final women’s last-eight clash at 16:55.

Teams that failed to reach the Cup quarter-finals will continue their campaigns in the ninth-place playoffs. In the women’s section, South Africa will face Argentina while Brazil take on Great Britain.

The men’s ninth-place semi-finals will see Great Britain play the USA before Germany face Uruguay later in the evening.

Attention will then shift to Sunday’s decisive matches, with the Cup semi-finals scheduled for 11:00 and 11:22 in the women’s competition, and 11:44 and 12:06 in the men’s category.

The tournament will conclude with the women’s Cup final at 16:46 before the men’s Cup final crowns the Valladolid champions at 17:26.