Kenya Lionesses defeated Argentina 17-12 to claim victory in the first leg of the Challenger Series in South Africa.
Kenya quickly took control as Grace Okullo scored a center-post try, successfully converted to give the Lionesses a 7-0 lead.
Kenya Lionesses battle
The match remained evenly contested, with both teams displaying strong defensive efforts. However, Argentina managed to break through just before halftime, scoring an unconverted try to narrow the gap to 7-5.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
- Follow us on Scrummage Africa FB
- Mike Friday advice to Kenya 7s
- List of laws to be used in Kenya Cup 2024/25
- 1 step forward, 2 back: A story of Kenya Rugby Referees
In the second half, Judith Okumu capitalized on a scrum, making an impressive 10-meter run to extend Kenya’s lead to 12-5 after a missed conversion.
Argentina earned a lineout inside their own 22 from Sinaida Nyachio’s kickoff but was penalized for a not-straight throw. This handed Kenya a scrum, leading to Okumu completing her brace off Nyachio’s pass, further asserting the Lionesses’ dominance at 17-5.
Argentina mounted a late response with a converted try just before the final whistle, but Kenya held on to secure a 17-12 victory.
The Lionesses now shift their focus to the second leg of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series next weekend at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
The Challenger series will have back to back events in Cape Town, with the top-ranked eight men’s and women’s teams progressing to the third and final tournament at the Henryk Reyman’s Municipal Stadium in Krakow on 11-12 April.
The four men’s and women’s teams with the most cumulative points gained across the three Challenger rounds will then qualify for the HSBC SVNS Play Off in Los Angeles on 3 – 4 May, where they will face the bottom four ranked teams from HSBC SVNS 2025 in a high-stakes promotion and relegation tournament with four coveted places in future SVNS at stake.
World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 dates:
Cape Town, South Africa | 1-2 March
Cape Town, South Africa | 7-8 March
Krakow, Poland | 11-12 April
Los Angeles, USA | 3-4 May
