The spirit of rugby returns to the coast as the 2025 National 7s Circuit ignites with the highly anticipated Driftwood Sevens at the Mombasa Sports Club. Few events capture the imagination of Kenya’s rugby faithful like this opening clash, setting the tone for a journey that will stretch across six competitive legs and test the mettle, resilience, and tactical ingenuity of the nation’s top clubs.
The pools and the promise of fierce battles
This year’s Driftwood Sevens is staged against the vibrant backdrop of an electric Mombasa, with pools announced and every team clear-eyed about what lies ahead. The storylines are already overflowing with intrigue, especially in Pool A, where defending circuit and Driftwood champions Kenya Harlequin headline what many call the group of death. Drawn together with university heavyweights Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad, and the ever-dangerous Mwamba RFC, Harlequins’ path is far from straightforward.
Mwamba, who surged to the final of the recent Ruff n Tuff 7s, will be eager to disrupt the pecking order. For Harlequin, whose 2024 circuit triumph ended a decade-long drought and underlined their return to Kenya’s sevens elite, maintaining consistency is everything. In 2024, reaching five semi-finals and clinching both the Driftwood and Ingo 7s propelled them to their fourth national crown, barely edging out Kabras RFC with a slim 109-105 points difference.
Kabras RFC and Pool B’s clash of styles
Pool B features last season’s runners-up, Kabras RFC, locked in with the energetic Catholic Monks, Nakuru RFC, and returning giants Impala. Kabras, known for their physical edge and tactical clarity, face a fascinating challenge from the university side and a resurgent Nakuru, whose storied past in sevens rugby is marked by tactical flair and youth development. Impala, another of Kenya’s historical giants, can never be underestimated come tournament time.
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KCB, Nondies, and the hosts in Pool C
KCB Rugby, with their championship pedigree, anchor Pool C along with Nondies, Daystar Falcons, and Driftwood hosts Mombasa Sports Club. KCB’s disciplined approach has made them mainstays at the business end of tournaments, while Nondies are eager to recapture former glories under the coastal sun. For Mombasa Sports Club, hosting means extra motivation as they play before their home fans.
Menengai Oilers, Strathmore Leos, and the reckoning in Pool D
If ever there was a pool to watch, it is Pool D. Menengai Oilers line up against the reigning Ruff n Tuff 7s champions Strathmore Leos, perennial dark horses Stallions, and university force Kabarak. Strathmore’s win at the Ruff n Tuff 7s was not without lessons: head coach Willis Ojal knows that discipline is a double-edged sword. Despite earning the winner’s medal, two yellow cards in the final reminded the Leos that small margins often decide big contests, especially in the relentless pace of circuit play.
Citing discipline as the primary focus moving forward, Ojal is determined to hone a group forged in the Ruff n Tuff 7s, spearheaded by MVP Elton Amalemba, Brian Mwendwa, and Shem Okola. Last year, the Leos only hit their stride in the circuit’s waning weeks, lifting Prinsloo Sevens after a 15-year wait. Now, with the lessons of a fifth-place finish and 78 points in 2024 (down from 95 points in 2023), Strathmore are hungry for a more consistent campaign.
Division Two and the pulse of grassroots rugby
Below the marquee matchups, the heartbeat of Kenyan rugby thumps strongly in Division Two. For Driftwood Sevens, 36 teams vied for places, but only those fitting the Kenya Rugby Union’s stringent criteria made the cut. The result is a colorful mix: affiliate clubs, coastal sides, up-and-comers with strong past performances, and hopefuls rewarded for consistency all year long.
Pools span from AP Warriors to North Coast Stormers, South Coast Pirates to Makueni RFC, painting a powerful portrait of Kenyan rugby’s depth and the dreams that animate every try scored at Driftwood. The tournament’s long-standing partner Tusker is back, not just as a sponsor but as a thread weaving together the energy, logistical muscle, and rugby culture that defines this festival atmosphere.
The circuit calendar and what lies ahead
The opening weekend in Mombasa is the launchpad for a rugged campaign. After Driftwood, teams head to Nakuru for Prinsloo, then to Nairobi for Christie 7s at the iconic RFUEA Grounds. Next up is a renewal in Embu, then the crucial Kabeberi in September, before the curtain comes down with Dala 7s in Kisumu. Success at Driftwood often sets the tone, infusing teams with belief or leaving them searching for answers in the weeks ahead.
Rugby’s shifting sands and echoes of greatness
The anticipation for this year’s circuit is given depth by voices from the past. Oscar Ouma, former Kenya Sevens captain and hero of the 2013 Wellington Sevens stunner and 2016 Singapore Sevens triumph, reflects on the game’s evolution. For Ouma, the modern style emphasizes contact at the expense of spatial awareness and skill. “During our time, we were a bit skillful. Right now, there is so much unnecessary contact happening. Players not use the space; they go for the man,” he reflected recently, yearning for a return to the creative, open play that once defined Kenyan sevens brilliance.
Now back at Nakuru RFC, Ouma’s wisdom and leadership are invaluable as the club recovers from recent struggles, barely escaping relegation in 2024 and dropping to 10th in the previous circuit season. Yet, optimism abounds in Nakuru’s camp, as new combinations and systems promise potential resurgence. Ouma’s humility rings true—“The team will always be bigger than the individual”—a reminder that the heartbeat of Kenyan rugby lies in collective effort and tradition.
A community’s festival – and what to expect
Driftwood Sevens is much more than just a rugby tournament. It is a festival, a reunion, and a celebration of local culture as much as sporting prowess. With Tusker enhancing the off-field excitement through fan engagement and the iconic afterparty, Mombasa transforms into a hub where stories are written, heroes are made, and friendships forged.
As the whistle sounds on Saturday, all eyes will lock onto the lush pitches of the Mombasa Sports Club. The 2025 National 7s Circuit promises drama, energy, and memories that will echo in Kenyan rugby folklore. For the players, coaches, and fans, it is not just about who lifts the trophy, but the stories of resilience, redemption, and reinvention that play out in every contest, every run, and every try. Let the games begin.
