It has emerged that Kenya’s Rugby Patrons Society (RPS) made frantic efforts to have Africa Rugby forward a petition to World Rugby to reconsider dropping a proposal to scale down the number of participating teams from 12 to eight for the 2025/26 season.

A seven-paragraph letter titled: Submission of Petition Regarding the Restructuring of the HSBC SVNS and Challenger Series dated May 14, 2025 seen by www.thesportsnewsarena.com addressed to Herbert Mensah, the Rugby Africa president requested for a review and participation by affiliates. The letter is copied to top World Rugby officials, South Africa Rugby Union, and International Olympic Committee president among others.

The petition read in part: “The changes introduced, particularly the contraction of the top-tier competition to eight teams from the 2025-26 season, pose serious risks to the growth, equity, and sustainability of the game, particularly in developing rugby nations.” RPS noted the decision had a significant impact on Kenya’s national teams recalling how both teams had performed well enough to secure their place in the top tier division. 

Shifting Goal Posts

The author stated the recent rule effectively shifted the goal posts. “This has not only undermined the team’s hard-earned progress and eroded the trust of sponsors, players, and supporters. This abrupt shift not only affects Kenya but also undermines years of investment and development by other unions across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. At a time when the Olympic legitimacy of Rugby Sevens remains crucial, such restructuring risks marginalizing regions that have greatly contributed to the global reach of the sport.”

To support their petition, RPS attached a paper titled Framework for a Petition to World Rugby on Behalf of Africa Rugby Stakeholders. The paper outlined key concerns, strategic questions for consideration, and proposed avenues for constructive reforms.

New Format

Despite the petition by RPS and other countries and unions affected by the decision, World Rugby forged ahead with the new format and already, two tournaments in the top tier competition have been played in Dubai and Cape Town (South Africa). The third tournament will be in Singapore at the end of January. 

Also, the tier three tournament comprising winners of the regional competitions is slated for Dubai on January 17-18 with the two top teams progressing to tier two competition that has replaced the World Rugby Challenger Series.

Kenya, Uruguay and Brazil will host one leg of this competition that will provide qualifiers for a three-championship competition against the top eight teams. The championship replaced the Rugby World Cup Sevens.