Shujaa eye playoff push as São Paulo Sevens beckon

Kenya’s national sevens sides are bracing for a defining weekend in Brazil as the final leg of the HSBC SVNS Division 2 series unfolds in São Paulo from March 28 to 29, 2026.

With promotion dreams hanging in the balance, both Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses step into the tournament with everything to play for.

Shujaa arrive in Brazil riding a wave of confidence after securing a bronze medal finish in Montevideo, where they edged Uruguay 22–14.

That result lifted them to third place overall with 32 points, firmly within reach of a top-two finish that would strengthen their bid for a return to the top tier of the HSBC SVNS circuit.

Their São Paulo campaign begins on Saturday with a demanding triple-header. Shujaa will face Germany at 4:22 PM, before taking on Belgium at 7:12 PM and wrapping up the day against Canada at 10:21 PM.

The action continues on Sunday with fixtures against the USA at 5:44 PM and Uruguay at 8:34 PM, in what promises to be a grueling test of endurance and consistency.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Lionesses face a steeper climb. After finishing sixth in Montevideo, they remain sixth overall with 22 points.

With leaders Argentina on 40 points, the Lionesses must deliver a standout performance in São Paulo to break into the top four and keep their playoff hopes alive.

A crucial clash against hosts Brazil on Saturday night could prove decisive in shaping their final standing.

The São Paulo leg marks the final stop in the Division 2 regular season, following earlier rounds in Nairobi and Montevideo.

At stake is a place in the HSBC SVNS World Championship Series, where the top four teams from Division 2 will battle elite Division 1 sides in a high-stakes, winner-takes-all format across Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux.