NAIROBI, KENYA – The spirited charge of the Kenya Lionesses at the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens tournament culminated in a heartbreaking loss on Monday, 17 November 2025, as they were decisively beaten 22–0 by defending champions South Africa in a tense final at the RFUEA Grounds. The victory marks a historic fifth consecutive and a record-extending 12th continental title for the Springbok Women, cementing their status as the powerhouse of African women's rugby.

For Kenya, the loss represents a third straight finals defeat to their arch-rivals, denying them a second-ever continental championship in front of a passionate home crowd. The stakes were higher for the Cecil Afrika-coached South African side, who needed the win to secure qualification for the HSBC Sevens Series third division, a crucial step in their journey back to the top tier of global sevens rugby. The Lionesses, having already secured their place in the second-division Challenger Series, were fighting for national pride and a chance to dethrone the champions.

A Flawless Campaign by the Champions

South Africa’s performance throughout the two-day tournament, held on November 15 and 16, was nothing short of clinical. They completed their entire campaign without conceding a single point, a testament to their suffocating defense and tactical discipline. Their path to the final included dominant victories over Mauritius (68–0) and Zimbabwe (47–0) in the pool stages, followed by a 48–0 quarter-final demolition of Ghana and a 29–0 semi-final win against Madagascar.

The final match began as a tightly contested affair, with both teams demonstrating defensive resilience. However, Kenya suffered a significant blow when star player Janet Okello was forced off with an injury just before halftime. South Africa capitalized on the disruption almost immediately, with Shiniqwa Lamprecht breaking the deadlock to give her side a 7–0 lead at the break after a successful conversion by Nadine Roos.

In the second half, the Springbok Women asserted their dominance. Simamkele Namba scored early to extend the lead to 12–0. This was followed by tries from Patience Mokone and a final score from Nadine Roos, sealing the comprehensive 22–0 victory and silencing the hopeful home supporters.

Lionesses' Valiant Journey to the Final

Despite the final result, the Kenya Lionesses showcased significant strength and determination on their way to the decider. They began their campaign with powerful wins against Côte d'Ivoire (44–0) and Ghana (37–0). In the knockout stages, they dispatched Zimbabwe with a 33–12 victory in the quarter-finals.

Their toughest test came in the semi-final against regional rivals Uganda, in a match that went down to the wire. After trading tries, the score was level at 10–10 in the dying moments. It was a last-minute try from Naomi Amuguni that secured a dramatic 17–10 win and sparked jubilant celebrations, booking their place in the final.

Implications for Kenyan and African Rugby

The final result underscores the persistent gap between South Africa and the rest of the continent in women's sevens rugby. While Kenya has proven to be the clear second-best team, consistently reaching the final, overcoming the Springbok Women remains a significant hurdle. The Lionesses have now finished as runners-up seven times in the tournament's history.

The tournament structure meant that South Africa's victory earned them qualification for the World Rugby SVNS Division Three tournament in Dubai, a critical pathway event. For the Lionesses, the focus now shifts to preparing for the HSBC Challenger Series, where they will compete against other top international teams for a chance at promotion to the elite global circuit. This experience against high-level competition will be crucial for the team's continued development and future attempts to claim the African crown.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Uganda secured the bronze medal after defeating Madagascar 38–12 in the third-place playoff, reaffirming their position as a rising force in the region.