Lionesses get favourable draw in Leg 2 of Challenger Series

With only the top eight men’s and women’s teams progressing to the third round in Krakow from 11-12 April 2025, and then only the top four placed men’s and women’s teams securing their place in the high stakes HSBC SVNS Play-Off in Los Angeles on 3-4 May for an opportunity to gain promotion to the HSBC SVNS – every fixture in the second leg is high-stakes.

First leg winners Kenya Lionesses have been pooled in Group A alongside in the HSBC Challenger Sevens which will be held in Cape Town this weekend. Every win will bring Team Kenya closer to qualifying for the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series. In the Women’s standings, Kenya leads with 20 points. The points differentials may also well come into play by the conclusion of the second leg.

Kenya is set to renew its traditional rivalry once again with neighbours Uganda once the draw is out this Thursday. In all formats, Kenya has dominated over Uganda winning the past three meetings. Dennis Mwanja’s side led by Captain Grace Okulu should be well inspired for the duties ahead. Freshia Oduor and Judith Okumu

Mwanja says they’re razor-focused to make it to the Playoffs in LA in May this year.

“This doesn’t stop here; this is just the beginning. Aside from beating South Africa, we look at the bigger picture of finishing in the top four; securing maximum points will put us in a position to qualify in the top four and qualify for the final playoff in Los Angeles. So the journey is still on for us.”

The man who used be known as Iron Man in his heydays admitted the qualifiers have been challenging.

“The build-up and preparations have been difficult. We played in the qualifiers in Ghana and fell short to South Africa towards the end of last year. From then onwards, we discussed on how to make the Challenger Series more competitive and this was down to belief and confidence. I am proud indeed of what the girls have managed thus far,” he said.