KRU confirms HSBC SVNS 2 women’s and men’s pools
By Joel Masibo, December 17, 2025The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has confirmed pools as Nairobi is set to stage a thrilling weekend of the HSBC SVNS 2 tournament.
The event will take place at Nyayo National Stadium on February 14–15, 2026, bringing together elite men’s and women’s teams from across the globe.
Women’s pool
In the women’s category, Kenya has been drawn into the pool alongside China, Spain and Brazil. The matchup promises exciting contests as the four sides battle not only for match victories but also for a crucial pathway forward, with the additional top two teams across SVNS 3 earning qualification.
Men’s pool
According to the pools confirmed on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the men’s competition will see Kenya face strong opposition from the United States, Germany and Uruguay.
Ahead of the tournament, the Kenya Lionesses head coach, Simon Odongo, has announced a 26-player squad that will begin preparations for the tourney. This marks a major step in the team’s journey as they gear up for their return to the global sevens circuit.
Tournament’s preparation
“We’ve picked a squad of 26 that will prepare for the 2026 HSBC SVNS season,” Coach Simon confirmed earlier. “We have retained fourteen of the fifteen women who played a pivotal part in helping us qualify for SVNS 2, with Grace Okulu being the only foreign-based player in the squad and Janet Okello returning from her stint in Japan.”
The remaining eleven players comprise a highly promising group of young, developing athletes who have consistently outperformed their peers in the local league. Their impressive displays during the Safari 7s further highlighted their potential and readiness for international competition. With an average age of 24, the squad strikes an ideal balance between youthful energy and valuable experience.
The squad has commenced its December training block, focusing on mental, physical, and skill conditioning ahead of the Christmas and New Year break.