History was made on Saturday as the curtains came down on the 2025 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Krakow, Poland, with the Kenya Lionesses lifting the coveted title for the first time. The victory was the culmination of a determined and consistent campaign across three rounds, in which the Lionesses displayed passion, resilience, and impressive tactical discipline.
Under the guidance of head coach Dennis Mwanja, the Lionesses secured two Cup titles in South Africa and rounded off the series with a solid third-place finish in Krakow, accumulating a total of 56 points to top the standings. Their historic triumph not only marked a significant achievement for Kenyan women’s rugby but also paved the way for potential promotion to the top-tier World Rugby Sevens Series.
In Krakow, Kenya began their campaign on a strong note with a 12-0 win over Belgium, showcasing their defensive organization and attacking flair. However, they stumbled in their second pool match, going down 28-12 to Thailand in a contest that exposed some vulnerabilities. Determined to stay on course for the title, the Lionesses bounced back with a hard-fought 12-7 win over Colombia in their final pool game, which was enough to secure a semi-final berth.
The semi-final clash against South Africa proved to be a stern test. The Lionesses were unable to match the physicality and clinical execution of their African rivals, falling 22-10. But true to their never-say-die spirit, Kenya responded emphatically in the third-place playoff. In a rematch against Thailand, the Lionesses turned the tables with a commanding 27-19 victory, avenging their earlier defeat and sealing the series win.
South Africa, despite winning the Krakow leg, finished second overall with 54 points. Argentina and Colombia completed the top four, ensuring their qualification for the crucial promotion playoff tournament set to be held in Los Angeles. There, they will face the bottom four teams from the elite Women’s Sevens Series in a do-or-die battle for a spot in the 2026 edition of the top-tier circuit.
The promotion playoffs are a golden opportunity for the Lionesses to secure a seat at the table of the global sevens elite. With the team having shown remarkable growth and cohesion throughout the Challenger Series, expectations are high that they can maintain their form and challenge the more established sides for promotion.
On the men’s side of the Challenger Series, Portugal emerged as the champions and will be joined by Germany, Canada, and Samoa in the Los Angeles playoffs. Their performances mirrored those of their female counterparts, underlining the growing competitiveness and global appeal of the Challenger Series.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s men’s team, Shujaa, who finished ninth in the HSBC World Sevens Series, will also be part of the playoffs. They will be joined by Ireland, Uruguay, and the USA—teams that finished 10th, 11th, and 12th respectively in the top tier. The stakes are high as these sides seek to retain their places or reclaim a spot in the 2026 World Sevens Series.
For the Lionesses, the journey is far from over. Their Challenger Series triumph has inspired belief, both within the squad and among fans back home. With Los Angeles on the horizon, the team will be looking to build on their recent success and take the final step toward global rugby prominence.
