After keeping their SVNS 1 qualification hopes alive with an eighth-place finish in Valladolid, Kenya Sevens ‘Shujaa’ now turn their attention to Bordeaux, France, where the final leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championship will determine both the world champions and the teams that will secure places in the 2027 top division.

Shujaa’s co-captain George Ooro joined captains from the other participating teams for the official pre-tournament captains’ photo session on Thursday as preparations entered the final stretch ahead of the season-defining HSBC SVNS World Championship at Stade Atlantique.

The stakes could not be higher. While the tournament will crown the overall HSBC SVNS World Champions, it will also determine which teams earn promotion to the newly structured SVNS 1 competition for 2027. Only the top eight teams at the conclusion of the championship will secure places in the elite division, while the bottom four will compete in SVNS 2 next season.

Kenya head into the final leg sitting eighth in the standings on 14 points following the Hong Kong and Valladolid tournaments. South Africa lead the rankings with 38 points, ahead of Argentina on 34 and Australia on 30. Fiji, Spain and New Zealand are tied on 26 points, while France occupy seventh place on 14 points, level with Shujaa. Uruguay, Germany, USA and Great Britain remain in pursuit as the battle for a top-eight finish intensifies.

However, Kenya’s preparations have been disrupted by the loss of Nygel Amaitsa, who sustained an injury during Shujaa’s decisive 12-7 victory over Great Britain in their final pool match at the Valladolid Sevens. The win secured Kenya’s place in the Cup quarter-finals, but came at the cost of one of the squad’s influential performers.

In response, the technical bench has handed a call-up to Kabras Sugar RFC fullback Jackson Siketi, one of the country’s brightest young rugby prospects.

Siketi arrives in France with an impressive CV . The versatile back was named Most Promising Player at the 2025 Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Cup in Mauritius while representing Kenya Morans. He also played a pivotal role in Kabras Sugar’s maiden Dala Sevens triumph in 2024, earning both the Tournament MVP and Player of the Final awards.

The championship now presents another opportunity for the youngster to announce himself on the international stage as Shujaa pursue a place among the world’s elite sevens teams.

Shujaa face a demanding pool assignment in Bordeaux. Their campaign begins against Fiji on Friday, June 5, at 3:44 p.m. East Africa Time before a clash against table leaders South Africa later that evening at 9:36 p.m. Shujaa will then conclude their pool matches against Great Britain on Saturday, June 6, at 11:44 a.m.

Having survived a difficult test in Valladolid, Kevin Wambua’s men know another strong performance will be required against some of the sport’s biggest powers. With SVNS 1 qualification on the line and a place in the top eight within reach, Shujaa’s season now comes down to one final push in Bordeaux.