South Africa Claims Crown as Kenya Lionesses Fall Short in Africa Women’s 7s Final
The Kenya Lionesses fought hard on home soil at the RFUEA Grounds, but were ultimately outclassed by a dominant South Africa side, falling 22-0 in the final of the Africa Women’s 7s tournament. The defeat meant South Africa secured their fifth consecutive continental crown and, crucially, a coveted spot in the third division of next season’s HSBC Sevens Series. For the Kenya Lionesses, the loss marked a third straight finals defeat in the tournament, following similar outcomes in 2023 and 2024.
Despite the disappointment of the final, the two-day tournament showcased the determination and growing competitiveness of the Kenya Lionesses, who successfully navigated a tough path to the decisive match.
The Final Showdown: South Africa’s Dominance
The final match, held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, quickly highlighted the gap in experience and precision between the two continental rivals. South Africa, maintaining their unbeaten run throughout the tournament, established an early lead.
The first half was a tight affair, with the score standing at 7-0 after Shiniqwa Lamprecht scored a try for the Blitzboks just before halftime, which was successfully converted by Nadine Roos. The Kenya Lionesses defense held firm for long periods, but their attack struggled to break through the disciplined South African line, failing to create clear scoring chances despite pressing forward.
The second half saw South Africa pull away, demonstrating the clinical finishing that has made them Africa’s dominant force. Tries from Simamkele Namba and Patience Mokone extended the lead to 17-0 before a final try sealed the comprehensive 22-0 victory.
Lionesses’ Road to the Final
Despite the final result, the Kenya Lionesses had plenty to be proud of during their campaign. The tournament began with an emphatic 44-0 victory over Cote d’Ivoire on the opening day, setting a positive tone.
The true test came in the semi-finals, where they faced a determined Uganda side. In a tough East African derby, the Kenya Lionesses displayed grit and tactical execution to secure a hard-fought 17-10 victory over the Lady Cranes 7s. This win confirmed their place in the final and demonstrated their quality in high-pressure knockout rugby. Uganda went on to secure the bronze medal after a strong overall performance in the tournament.
Lessons and the Way Forward
The final result reinforces South Africa’s iron grip on African women’s rugby and highlights the con tinued developmental gap the Kenya Lionesses must bridge. The Springbok Women consistently displayed superior speed, precise execution, and an organized defense that proved impenetrable on the day.
The Kenya Lionesses’ determination was evident right up to the final whistle, with substitutes like Edith Nariaka stepping up effectively to cover for injured key players such as Janet Okello. While the team failed to score, they will undoubtedly take crucial lessons from the experience. Competing against a world-class team on home soil provides invaluable development opportunities as they continue their journey to improve, aiming for future continental titles and securing their own place on the global circuit.
Show Your Pride for the Lionesses with JerseyWorld!
Despite the final result, the Kenya Lionesses showed incredible heart and national pride in reaching the Africa Women’s 7s final! Show your support for the team as they continue to develop and chase future glory. Head over to the JerseyWorld store today to explore the latest season merchandise, including the official Team Kenya Rugby jerseys!
We are committed to selling only high-quality, authentic merchandise and providing exemplary customer service to all our clients. Want to personalize your support for the team? We offer professional printing services where you can have any name and number of your choice printed on your kit. Don’t wait—visit JerseyWorld and proudly wear your national colours!
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