“They look like a force that cannot be stopped,” a commentator at the just concluded 2025 World Rugby Challenger Series summarized Kenya Lionesses perfect score of winning back to back opening two tournaments in Cape Town, South Africa.

Naomi Amuguni, Sharon Ouma and Fresha Oduor scored one try each as Kenya defeated South Africa in the final and for the second time in just eight days to collect a maximum 20 points and eight wins. The rare feat at South Africa’s backyard was masterminded by Dennis Mwanja, a former Kenya Sevens stalwart.

Arrest Opponents

Mwanja had boldly stated that Kenya Lionesses intended to “arrest” their opponents before their own fans. After the win against the hosts in the semi-final of the first tournament, Mwanja exclusively told SNA, wametuzoea, a one word answer that spoke volumes. The respectful response was a banter that is common in rugby especially in big derbies such as this. But, Mwanja was not going to let the win appear to have come by chance and stated that the preparation for the Challenger Series was just the right recipe to ensure Kenya Lionesses remained consistent. The coach had hinted at a change of tactics ahead of the second leg especially as the top seeds and in a pool that had Belgium and Uganda. 

Extra Time

The match against Uganda was won in extra time after the teams tied 5-5. “The match against Uganda is always close,”Mwanja stated. Uganda’s Maimuna Nassozi was red-carded in a match that also saw two other yellow cards.  

It was also a double celebration for the top eighth women’s teams – Kenya, South Africa, Argentina, Colombia, Thailand, Czechia, Poland and Uganda who qualified for the penultimate round in Krakow, Poland in April. The celebration was in observance of the annual International Women’s day. 

Twice, the Kenya national anthem was played at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa when Kenya Lionesses reached the finals. As the commentator mentioned, stopping Kenya will take something special and Mwamja would like to ensure qualification to Los Angeles where the top four teams in each category will play against the bottom four teams in the WRSWS for a chance to play in the top tier competition. 

Standout Players

Some of the standout players in Cape Town for Kenya Lionesses were  Grace Okulu, Naomi Amuguni, Judith Okumu and Sharon Auma. Mwanja divulged that Auma was probably one of the fastest players in the second tier competition while Amuguni was a workhorse.

When the team returns home to what is expected to be a warm welcome, the preparations for the third leg in Poland will have already started. “The players are eager to compete in the Series,” Mwanja added.

Although Kenya won the double, competition was tough. Colombia climbed up the ladder as Argentina failed to ascend the podium after reaching the final in the first leg.

Competition was even tougher in the men’s category with Portugal winning a tough final against Germany. Chile, winners of the first leg were unable to replicate the form that saw them dominate the first tournament.

African teams

Of the five African teams that lined up for the Challenger Series, four will travel to Poland after a new-look Uganda Sevens team narrowly missed the cut after finishing ninth. Tolbert Onyango, the Uganda coach had been honest while assessing the team’s chances after the bulk of the regular players were called up to the national 15’s team. He had said that failure to qualify for Poland would deflate their progress due to lack of competition. In an interview with Rugby Africa, the former Kenya scrum-half said the players will have more time to prepare for the Africa Sevens championship in Mauritius in June. “they have a taste of what it takes to compete at a high level,” the coach observed.

New Challenge

Charles Onen, the women’s coach said playing against the top teams in Poland would be a new challenge. “The lessons we have learned in Cape Town is to play each game as a final.  This format was also new to us,” he added.

Germany, Canada, Portugal, Chile, Samoa, Japan, Madagascar and Tonga qualified for the third tournament in Poland. As the dust settles at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, teams that have qualified will intensify their preparations for Poland  in April.

Results of the second leg tournament  

Women

Pool A: Kenya, Uganda, Belgium

Uganda 22 Belgium 7, Kenya 17 Belgium 5, Kenya 10 Uganda 5.

Pool B: Argentina, Czechia, Hong Kong China

Czechia 19 Hong Kong China 24, Argentina 37 Hong Kong China 7, Argentina 22 Czechia 26.

Pool C: South Africa, Poland, Samoa

South Africa 43 Poland 0, South Africa 45 Samoa 5, Poland 36 Samoa 7.

Pool D: Colombia, Thailand, Mexico.

Thailand 33 Mexico 0, Colombia 42 Mexico 0, Colombia 21 Thailand 14.

Cup semi-finals: Czechia 15 South Africa 21; Kenya 12 Colombia 5; Play-off: Czechia 5 Colombia 35; Final: South Africa 0 Kenya 17.

Fifth place semi-finals: Argentina 29 Poland 12, Uganda 7 Thailand 14; Final: Argentina 30 Thailand 10.

Seventh place play-off: Poland 0 Uganda 39.

Ninth place semi-finals: Hong Kong China 26 Samoa 21, Belgium 36 Mexico 0; Final: Hong Kong China 5 Belgium 29.

Eleventh place play-off: Samoa 34 Mexico 10.

Standing: Kenya 20, South Africa 18, Colombia 16, Czechia 14, Argentina12 Thailand 10, Uganda 8, Poland 6, Belgium 4 Hong Kong China 3, Samoa 2 Mexico 1.

Men’s draw and order of play

Pool A: Chile, Japan, Hong Kong China

Pool B: Canada, Uganda, Tonga

Pool C: Germany, Madagascar, Georgia

Pool D: Samoa, Portugal, Brazil

Portugal 36 Brazil 0, Madagascar 19 Georgia 27, Uganda 19 Tonga 21 Japan 19 Hong Kong China 17, Samoa 40 Brazil 14, Germany 21 Georgia 14, Canada 26 Tonga 24, Chile 24 Hong Kong China 7, Samoa 12 Portugal 19, Germany 28 Madagascar 12, Canada 38 Uganda 7, Chile 15 Japan 17.

Men

Cup semi-finals: Canada 14 Germany 24, Japan 14 Portugal 36; Play-off: Canada 28 Japan 15; Final: Germany 7 Portugal 12.

Fifth place semi-finals: Tonga 26 Georgia 12, Chile 19 Samoa 24; Final: Tonga 14 Samoa 35.

Seventh place play-off: Georgia 5 Chile 15.

Ninth place semi-finals: Uganda 17 Madagascar 33, Hong Kong China 24 Brazil 19; Final: Madagascar 24 Hong Kong China 10.

Eleventh place play-off: Uganda 36 Brazil 12.

Standing: Portugal 20, Germany 18, Canada 16, Japan 14, Samoa 12 Tonga 10, Chile 8, Georgia 6, Madagascar 4 Hong Kong China 3, Uganda 2 Brazil 1.

Overall

Women: Kenya 40, South Africa 34, Argentina 30, Colombia 30, Thailand 22, Czechia 22, Poland 16, Uganda 14, Belgium 8, Hong Kong China 6, Samoa 4, Mexico 2.Men: Canada 34, Germany 34, Portugal 32, Chile 28, Samoa 26, Japan 20, Madagascar 14, Tonga 13, Uganda 10, Georgia 8, Hong Kong China 7, Brazil 2.