HSBC SVNS 2: Shujaa Takes Bronze at Rollercoaster Weekend

The road back to rugby’s elite stage is never easy, and the latest leg of the HSBC SVNS 2 in Montevideo, Uruguay, proved exactly why. Kenya’s national sevens teams, Shujaa and the Lionesses, experienced the highs and lows of international competition at the Estadio Charrúa. While the men’s side fought their way to a podium finish, the women’s team faced a steep learning curve in a weekend defined by grit and determination.

Shujaa Secures Vital Bronze in Montevideo

The Kenyan men’s team, Shujaa, arrived in Uruguay with a clear mission: maintain their standing in the top four to keep their World Championship dreams alive. After a mixed opening day that included a tough loss to the USA but dominant victories over Belgium and Canada, the pressure was on.

Day two started with a narrow 12–7 stumble against Germany, but Shujaa showed their trademark resilience in the third-place playoff. Facing the hosts, Uruguay, in front of a passionate home crowd, Kenya turned on the heat. Despite trailing early, a spectacular hat-trick from Patrick Odongo and a sealing try from John Okoth secured a 22–14 win. This bronze medal earned the team 16 invaluable points, keeping them firmly in the hunt for promotion.

The Battle for the Top Four

The HSBC SVNS 2 standings are becoming incredibly tight as the series nears its climax. Currently, Shujaa sits in third place overall with 32 points. They are trailing the joint leaders—USA and Germany—who both sit at 38 points.

With only the top four teams guaranteed a spot in the promotion playoffs for the World Championship Series, the margin for error has disappeared. Uruguay is breathing down Kenya’s neck with 28 points, making the upcoming final leg in Brazil a “do or die” scenario for the Kenyan side.

Challenges for the Kenya Lionesses

While the men celebrated a podium finish, the Kenya Lionesses endured a grueling weekend in Montevideo. The women’s side struggled to find their rhythm, managing only a single victory against Argentina (12–10) throughout the tournament.

Losses to China, Spain, South Africa, and Brazil saw the Lionesses finish at the bottom of the table. Despite the setbacks, a mathematical glimmer of hope remains for the final leg in Sao Paulo. The team will need a monumental performance in Brazil to break back into the top four and keep their dreams of top-flight rugby alive for the 2027 season.

Tactical Brilliance and the “Odongo Factor”

A major highlight for Shujaa during this HSBC SVNS 2 leg was the clinical finishing of Patrick Odongo. His ability to exploit gaps in the defense was the difference-maker in tight matches. Combined with the defensive work of George Ooro and the playmaking of Samuel Asati, the team demonstrated that when they stick to their tactical structure, they can compete with the best in the world. As they head to Sao Paulo, maintaining this defensive rigor will be the key to securing their elite status.

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