Kenya Lionesses to renew rivalry against South Africa in continental battle
By Luke Oluoch, November 3, 2025Kenya’s Women’s Rugby 7s team, the Lionesses, is set to renew rivalry with African elite teams as the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens (RAW7s) 2025 returns to Kenya at the iconic RFUEA grounds this Saturday, November 15, 2025.
The two-day event will feature 12 nations battling in the epic duels of rugby as new rivalries are ignited and champions crowned.
The edition comes with a spice of its own, with record champions and favourites South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, and Zambia among the teams included in the star-studded list of participants.
Rankings
Ahead of the showdown, Kenya is ranked second to South Africa, who tops the Women’s Sevens continental charts. East Africa rivals, Uganda, are third, ahead of Madagascar.
North African Tunisia and Zambia wrap up the top six sides.
According to Rugby Afrique, action will commence daily from 9:00 am
The East African giants have been pooled in Group B alongside Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Kenya will open its campaign on Day 1, facing off against Ivory Coast in the seventh clash of the day.
The clash will kick off at 12:44 pm.
The ladies will conclude the group tie against Ghana on the same day at 4:06 pm.
Lionesses will be hosting the competitions for the second time after hosting the competition in Machakos in 2014, and will be eyeing improved tidings.
The 15s side emerged as the losing finalists in the 2025 RAWC 15 games held in Madagascar in June 2025.
Despite their assured show in the preliminary stages and knockouts, Dennis Mwanja’s team met their match in the Springbok Women of South Africa, who topped their group and proceeded to clinch the honours undefeated.
Similarly, the 7s side finished as runners-up to champions South Africa in the 2024 edition held in Ghana.
Complete Pools
POOL A: South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius
POOL B: Kenya, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire
POOL C: Uganda, Zambia, Burkina Faso
POOL D: Egypt, Tunisia , Madagascar