Kabras Sugar RFC reclaimed the Dala 7s title after coming from behind to defeat Menengai Oilers 17-5 in the 2026 final on Sunday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, lifting their first title of the 2026 National Sevens Circuit.
The RAI Derby renewed a rivalry that last headlined the tournament in 2024, when Kabras defeated Menengai Oilers 24-5 to lift the crown. Two years later, the Oilers returned to the final seeking revenge, while Kabras were looking to reclaim the title after losing last year’s final to KCB Rugby at the same venue.
It was a cagey and physical opening half, with both sides maintaining disciplined defensive lines and creating few clear-cut opportunities.
Menengai Oilers eventually broke the deadlock seconds before the halftime whistle when John Okoth burst through the Kabras defence on the left to score the opening try. Glacious Owino was unable to convert, giving the Oilers a narrow 5-0 lead at the break.
Kabras responded immediately after the restart, exploiting the same channel that Menengai had used in the first half after the teams switched ends. Jackson Siketa released Rayvone Ambale with an offload before the winger raced over for the equalising try, although he failed to add the conversion as the scores remained level at 5-5.
The turning point came moments later when Menengai Oilers’ Calvin Mulewa was sent to the sin bin, leaving his side a player short. Kabras quickly capitalised on the numerical advantage as Mathias Osimbo offloaded to Derrick Ashihundu, who beat John Okoth before grounding the ball on the left. Ambale converted to hand Kabras a 12-5 lead.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
- List of rugby prospects from high school
- Colman Were keen to redefine Kenyan rugby’s physical edge
- Follow Scrummage Africa on Facebook
- Collins Injera inducted into Fiji’s Rugby Town Walk of Fame
Ronald Wangila then put the result beyond doubt after collecting Patrick Lumumba Sabatia’s offload to score Kabras’ third try. Although the conversion drifted wide, Kabras comfortably held on to seal a 17-5 victory and reclaim the Dala 7s crown.
Kabras captain Griffin Chao said the victory was the perfect response after last weekend’s disappointment in the Prinsloo 7s final.
“It’s been a hard fight, especially from last week’s final loss. We had to work it out, we had to make sure that we win this leg and we did it and we are happy for it,” said Chao.
The triumph handed Kabras their first title of the 2026 National Sevens Circuit, reclaiming a trophy they last won in 2024 after finishing runners-up to KCB Rugby in last year’s final at the same venue.
2026 Dala 7s – Day Two Order of Play
Match 25 – 9:00 AM: MMUST 21-12 Mombasa Rugby
Match 26 – 9:20 AM: Nakuru RFC 19-36 Kisumu RFC
Match 27 – 9:40 AM: Blak Blad 26-5 Impala RFC
Match 28 – 10:00 AM: Nondescripts RFC 41-5 Embu RFC
Match 29 (Cup Quarter-final 1) – 10:20 AM: KCB Rugby 12-14 Kenya Harlequins
Match 30 (Cup Quarter-final 2) – 10:40 AM: Kabras Sugar RFC 29-5 Daystar Falcons
Match 31 (Cup Quarter-final 3) – 11:00 AM: Menengai Oilers 33-7 Zetech Oaks
Match 32 (Cup Quarter-final 4) – 11:20 AM: Mwamba RFC 15-14 Strathmore Leos
13th place semis
Match 33 – 12:20 PM: Nakuru RFC 25-0 Mombasa Rugby
Match 34 – 12:40 PM: Embu RFC 19-5 Impala RFC
Challenge semis
Match 35 – 1:00 PM: MMUST 12-10 Kisumu RFC
Match 36 – 1:20 PM: Nondescripts RFC 5-14 Blak Blad
5th place semis
Match 37 – 1:40 PM: KCB Rugby 38-7 Daystar Falcons
Match 38 – 2:00 PM: Strathmore Leos 33-21 Zetech Oaks
Match 39 (Men’s Cup Semi-final 1) – 2:20 PM: Kenya Harlequins 10-19 Kabras Sugar RFC
Match 40 (Men’s Cup Semi-final 2) – 2:40 PM: Mwamba RFC 5-22 Menengai Oilers
Men’s 5th Place Play-off – 3:10 PM: KCB Rugby 24-17 Starthmore leos
Men’s 3rd Place Play-off – 3:54 PM: Kenya Harlequin 22-27 Mwamba Rugby
Men’s Final – 5:00 PM: Kabras RFC 17-5 Menengai Oilers
