The 2026 Safari 7s got underway on Friday afternoon, with defending champions Kenya Shujaa getting their title defence off on the wrong foot after being held to a 21-21 draw by SportPesa Fast Forwards-a select team from South Africa.
Shujaa made a couple of mistakes in the first half of the final game of the day at Nyayo National Stadium, allowing the South Africans to capitalise on their opportunities.
It was Fast Forward’s Austin Prins who drew first blood with a converted try to silence the home crowd.
Things went from bad to worse for Kevin Wambua’s charges, who conceded another try two minutes later after Leizaan Botto surged through the defence, shrugged off his markers and dotted down for the second try. The conversion stretched their lead to 14-0.
ALSO READ: 2026 Safari 7s: Order of play, kick off times & participating teams
Shujaa finally got off the mark and managed to reduce the deficit just before half-time.
George Ooro made a strong run but was tackled metres short of the whitewash before offloading to his club teammate Nygel Amaitsa, who crossed the line to give Kenya their first seven points. Amaitsa added the extras to narrow the gap.
Fast Forwards returned for the second half and extended their advantage through Curthy Handrikse, with Junaid Philip adding the conversion to pile more pressure on the hosts.
However, Shujaa fought their way back into the contest. Substitute Glacious Owino, who replaced Samwel Asati, collected the ball from the ruck, spotted a gap in the defence and raced through to secure another seven points for Kenya, turning it into a seven-point game.
Shujaa eventually levelled the scores thanks to Elvis Olukusi, who beat his marker to cross the line, with Owino adding the extras.
The hosts pushed for a comeback victory in the closing stages but could not breach the South African defence again, leaving both sides to settle for a draw.
Both teams will now turn their attention to Saturday’s second day, where they will be chasing victories against Uganda 7s and Scotland.
Scotland made a perfect start to their Safari 7s debut, upsetting Uganda 17-14 in the other Pool A fixture.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s second-string national 7s side, the Kenya Morans, also enjoyed a strong start, dismantling GEL Squad 7s 38-17.
Last season’s finalists, Shogun Rugby, also got their campaign off to a flying start, thrashing Southern California Nomads 38-0.
The action continues on Saturday, with teams returning for the group-stage fixtures as they look to maintain their winning momentum or register their first victories of the tournament.
2026 Safari 7s Schedule and kick off times
Friday, October 9 – Results – Nyayo National Stadium
Women’s Round One
- 3:00 pm – Kenya Cubs 15-17 Tunisia
- 3:22 pm – Uganda 50-5 TUKS Women
- 3:44 pm – Kenya Lionesses 19-5 Junior Lionesses
Men’s Round One
- 4:06 pm – Zimbabwe 22-14 Wonder 7s
- 4:28 pm – Kenya Morans 38-17 GEL Squad 7s
- 4:50 pm – French Renegades 24-14 Wellington Jaguars
- 5:12 pm – Shogun 38-0 Southern California Nomads
- 5:34 pm – Uganda 15-17 Scotland
- 5:56 pm – Kenya Shujaa 21-21 SportPesa Fast Forward
Saturday, October 10- Fixtures and kickoff times–Nyayo National Stadium
Men’s Round Two
- 10:32 am – Zimbabwe vs GEL Squad 7s
- 10:57 am – Kenya Morans vs Wonder 7s
- 11:22 am – French Renegades vs Southern California Nomads
- 11:47 am – Shogun vs Wellington Jaguars
- 12:12 pm – Uganda vs SportPesa Fast Forwards
- 12:37 pm – Kenya Shujaa vs Scotland
Men’s Round Three
- 3:08 pm – GEL Squad 7s vs Wonder 7s
- 3:33 pm – Southern California Nomads vs Wellington Jaguars
- 3:58 pm – SportPesa Fast Forwards vs Scotland
- 4:23 pm – Kenya Morans vs Zimbabwe
- 4:48 pm – Shogun vs French Renegades
- 5:13 pm – Kenya Shujaa vs Uganda
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