Kenya Lionesses suffer a heavy defeat as South Africa extends dominance
By Kenneth Mwenda, November 16, 2025South Africa outclassed host Kenya Lionesses 22-0 to claim their fifth consecutive Africa Women’s 7s crown at the RFUEA Grounds on Sunday, November 16, 2025. The victory also secured South Africa a spot in the third division of next season’s HSBC Sevens Series.
The two-day tournament, held on November 15 and 16, 2025, saw South Africa maintain their unbeaten run. Kenya, competing on home soil, were aiming for local glory but were unable to break through the defending champions’ strong defence.
The first half ended with South Africa leading 7-0. Shiniqwa Lamprecht scored for the Blitzboks just before halftime, with Nadine Roos converting the try. The Kenya Lionesses pressed forward but struggled to create clear chances and were repeatedly stopped by the South African defence.
The second half began with South Africa extending their lead. Simamkele Namba scored in the left corner to make it 12-0. Minutes later, Patience Mokone touched down for a third try, taking the score to 17-0. South Africa sealed the win with one final try, ensuring a comprehensive 22-0 victory.
Kenya shows fighting spirit
For Kenya, the loss marked a third consecutive finals defeat, following defeats in the 2023 and 2024 editions. Despite the loss, the Lionesses showed determination, with substitutes like Edith Nariaka stepping in to cover for injured players such as Janet Okello.
Kenya’s performance in the tournament earned them some pride, having beaten Uganda 17-10 in the semifinals to reach the final.
Uganda, meanwhile, secured the bronze medal after a strong performance throughout the tournament. The Lady Cranes 7s finished third, adding a notable achievement to the competition’s standings.
The win highlights South Africa’s dominance in African women’s rugby. The Springbok Women have now consistently prevented Kenya from claiming the continental title while securing their own pathway into the HSBC Sevens Challenger series.
The tournament featured strong performances from other teams as well. On the opening day, Kenya defeated Cote d’Ivoire 44-0, Uganda beat Burkina Faso 50-0, and South Africa overcame Mauritius 68-0. In the semifinals, South Africa edged Madagascar 29-0, while Kenya’s 17-10 victory over Uganda set up the repeat final.
Sunday’s final reinforced the gap between the two teams, with South Africa showing experience, speed, and precision. The Kenya Lionesses, though unable to score, will take lessons from the experience as they continue to develop and aim for future titles.