Madagascar registered a third consecutive win over Kenya Morans, edging them 14-12 to book a place in the Africa Men’s 7s final against South Africa A and secure a spot in the HSBC SVNS Three next season.
Having already beaten the Morans twice in the 2024 edition, the Makis were looking to complete a treble, and despite playing with a man down for four minutes, they held firm to claim victory.
Madagascar vs Kenya Morans
Madagascar dominated possession early on but were met by a resolute Kenyan defence. Their first real test came two minutes into the match when they lost a key player to a yellow card.
The Morans capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Chrissant Ojwang scoring the opening try. However, teenager Jackson Siketi failed to convert, leaving the score at 5-0.
Despite being a man down, Madagascar held on to avoid further damage. In the second half, they struck twice in quick succession to take a 14-5 lead.
Another yellow card for Madagascar—this time turning into a red due to an earlier infringement—gave Kenya hope. William Mwanji set up Siketi, who crossed over for a converted try to close the gap to 14-12.
However, late errors by the Morans allowed the Makis to score again and seal a 19-14 win, booking their spot in the final and a place in next season’s HSBC SVNS Three.
In the other semi-final, South Africa A overcame a spirited Zimbabwe side 19-12 in a closely contested match.
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
South Africa retained possession from the kickoff and struck first through Mfundo Ndhlovu, whose try was converted by Ricardo Duartte for a 7-0 lead.
Zimbabwe hit back through speedster Edward Sigauke, who raced downfield for a try that was converted to level the scores at 7-7.
South Africa regained the lead when Sebastian Jobb took a quick tap following a penalty and dived in at the corner. They led 12-7 heading into halftime after missing a couple of late opportunities.
Zimbabwe held firm early in the second half, even after a costly error gave South Africa a five-metre scrum. But the pressure finally told as Jobb beat his markers to score under the posts, with the conversion making it 19-7.
Dion Kumalo managed a late try for Zimbabwe, but with time already expired, they couldn’t complete the comeback, handing South Africa A a place in the final.
2025 Rugby Africa Men’s 7s Day 2
Fixtures – Sunday, 22 June 2025 (All times in EAT)
• 8:00 AM – South Africa 26-0 Uganda
• 8:22 AM – Zimbabwe 36-0 Ghana
• 8:44 AM – Zambia 12-31 Madagascar
• 9:06 AM – Kenya 43-12 Nigeria
• 9:28 AM – Tunisia 29-22 Côte d’Ivoire
• 9:50 AM – Burkina Faso 24-12 Mauritius
• 11:07 AM – Uganda 47-7 Ghana
• 11:29 AM – Zambia 24-22 Nigeria
• 11:51 AM – South Africa 19-12 Zimbabwe
• 12:13 PM – Madagascar 14-12 Kenya
• 12:35 PM –Ivory Coast vs Mauritius
• 12:57 PM – Tunisia vs Burkina Faso
• 1:59 PM – 7th Place Final Ghana vs Nigeria
• 2:24 PM – 5th Place Final Uganda vs Zambia
• 2:53 PM – Bronze Final : Zimbabwe vs Kenya
• 3:32 PM – Gold Final: South Africa vs Madagascar
