The Kenya Lionesses are set to host the continent’s leading women’s rugby sevens tournament, the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens (RAW Sevens), at the iconic RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi on November 15–16, with twelve national teams vying for continental glory and Olympic qualification points.
Kenya was announced in September as the host nation for the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s 7s, set for November 14–17, 2025.
This year’s edition is important for the Kenya Lionesses, who rank 20th globally in women’s Rugby as they look to dethrone perennial champions South Africa, who have won the title a staggering 12 times.
Kenya has been drawn into Pool B alongside Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, setting the stage for a competitive start.
The Lionesses, led by head coach Dennis Mwanja, are expected to dominate their pool, with eyes firmly set on the knockout rounds where they could face top-tier teams like South Africa, Uganda, Madagascar, Tunisia and Zambia.
Tough Test Awaits Lionesses
South Africa: The Team to Beat
As the most decorated side in the history of the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens, South Africa enters the 2025 edition in Nairobi as the undisputed favourites.
With 12 continental titles to their name, the Springbok Women’s Sevens, often referred to as Imbokodo, boasts a blend of seasoned internationals and rising stars.
Drawn into Pool A alongside Zimbabwe and Mauritius, South Africa is expected to cruise through the group stage.
But their real test will come in the knockout rounds, where a potential clash with hosts Kenya Lionesses could reignite one of Africa’s fiercest rugby rivalries.
South Africa’s women have made strides on the global stage, earning a spot in the 2025 World Rugby Challenger Series and qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
For Kenya, overcoming South Africa will require more than just home advantage; it will demand discipline, defensive resilience, and clinical finishing.
Uganda
The Uganda Lady Cranes are emerging as one of the tournament’s most formidable challengers.
Their prowess was on full display at the 2025 Safari Sevens in Nairobi, where Uganda delivered an impressive run to the final, including an upset over the defending champions Costa Blanca Barbarians, before narrowly losing to hosts Kenya in a thrilling 14–10 finish.
Drawn into Pool C alongside Zambia and Burkina Faso, Uganda is expected to top the group and challenge both South Africa and Kenya in the knockout stages.
The Uganda Lady Cranes’ steady growth into women’s rugby has been used as a good example of the growing intensity of East African rivalries at the continental level.
Madagascar
The Ladies Makis of Madagascar have emerged as one of the tournament’s most promising underdogs, ranking 25th globally and 4th in Africa.
Highlights include reaching the final of the 2022 Africa Women’s Sevens and securing a Challenger Series appearance in 2023.
Under the leadership of coach Zaka Ravelonanosy, Madagascar made their first-ever World Cup Sevens appearance in 2022, finishing a respectable 15th after narrowly falling to South Africa in the Africa Women’s Sevens final by just one point (14–15).
Placed in Pool D with Tunisia and Egypt, Madagascar faces what could be the toughest test of their RAW Sevens campaign.
Tunisia
Tunisia’s women’s rugby sevens team arrives in Nairobi with renewed focus and a fresh coaching approach under Arnaud Le Berrie, a French tactician appointed to lead the squad through the 2025 season.
His arrival marks a strategic shift for the Eagles of Carthage, who are looking to reclaim their place among Africa’s top-tier sides.
At the 2024 Africa Women’s Sevens, they topped their pool with commanding wins over Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, before narrowly missing out on a semifinal spot.
Their history includes a 13th-place finish at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens and consistent top-four placements in continental tournaments between 2013 and 2019.
Drawn into Pool D alongside Madagascar and Egypt, Tunisia faces a balanced group with contrasting styles.
While Madagascar brings flair and unpredictability, Tunisia will rely on Le Berrie’s structured game plan and tournament experience to navigate the pool and push into the knockout rounds.
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Their presence adds depth to the competition and reinforces the growing strength of North African rugby on the continental scene.
Zambia
Zambia enters the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens in Nairobi filled with ambition under the guidance of Zimbabwean-born coach Willis Magasa, a former Zimbabwe international.
Following a sixth-place finish at the 2024 Africa Women’s Sevens in Accra, the Zambians have restructured their strategy.
Earlier in 2022, Zambia showcased their pedigree by finishing top of a Rugby Africa regional qualifier in Burundi, delivering dominant wins, including a remarkable 48–0 victory over the hosts, Burundi.
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Drawn into Pool C alongside Uganda and Burkina Faso, Zambia faces a challenging group.
Uganda enters the tournament as the runner-up of the Safari Sevens, while Burkina Faso continues to grow as a competitive side.
For Zambia, the pool stage will be a proving ground for their tactical adjustments and renewed focus.
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