Captains of the Africa Women’s Sevens teams from (Left to Right): Ivette Sawadogo (Burkina Faso), Touré Awa (Côte d’Ivoire), Rufaro Tagarira (Zimbabwe), Veronica Lungu (Zambia), Sahondra Malala Sarindra (Madagascar), Sheila Chajira (Kenya), Nadine Roos (South Africa), Agnes Nakuya (Uganda), Lamia Mlawah (Tunisia), Paulina Mensah (Ghana), Naika Dewulf (Mauritius), and Hala Koura (Egypt) at Kenya International Conference Center. Image Courtesy: Rugby Afrique Facebook.
12 Nations are set to compete for the 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens title and secure a place in World Rugby’s HSBC SVNS Series Division Three. We break down everything you need to know about the 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens.
By Faith Moraa
The 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens bursts into action tomorrow in Nairobi, promising a rugby spectacle loaded with high stakes and dramatic moments. With 12 nations hungry for victory, the tournament is set to be one of the most thrilling in African rugby sevens history.
This year’s edition carries added significance due to changes in the global sevens structure. Teams are not only competing to unseat defending champions South Africa but also battling for a coveted spot in the remodeled HSBC SVNS Series the elite international sevens circuit governed by World Rugby.
South Africa enters the tournament seeking redemption after losing their core SVNS status. To begin their path back to the top tier, they must replicate the form that saw them lift last year’s Africa Women’s Sevens title in Ghana.
Kenya has already secured a place in SVNS Division Two for 2026, riding the momentum of their dramatic 17–14 victory over South Africa in an epic SVNS Play-Off final in Los Angeles. With Kenya’s slot filled, the race this weekend intensifies: the highest-ranked team in Nairobi aside from Kenya will claim the coveted place in SVNS Division Three.
The qualification equation is straightforward: outperform every other contender outside of Kenya and secure the ticket to Division Three.
Among the leading contenders is Uganda, which finished third at the 2024 Africa Women’s Sevens in Accra. Their squad has been strengthened by the return of key players following recent domestic and regional competitions.
Zimbabwe is also looking to make an impact with a refreshed squad featuring a mix of experienced athletes and emerging young talent.
The revamped HSBC SVNS structure features a three-tier system designed to increase competitiveness, financial sustainability, and development pathways:
Division Three: An eight-team standalone Challenger event
Division Two: Six teams competing across three global events (including Kenya)
Division One: The premier tier featuring eight teams across six major tournaments
World Rugby has committed £10 million annually to support the new model, including substantial team participation fees aimed at strengthening long-term stability within the sport.
With continental pride, global qualification, and long-term development opportunities on the line, all 12 teams are expected to deliver high-intensity performances at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi from 15th –16th November.
The tournament is organized by Rugby Africa in partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union.
Participating Teams
Pool A: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius
Pool B: Kenya, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire
Pool C: Uganda, Zambia, Burkina Faso
Pool D: Madagascar, Tunisia, Egypt
Streaming Information
All matches will be streamed live on:
- Rugby Africa Facebook
- Rugby Pass TV
Tickets
Available on TikoHub: https://tikohub.com/events/356
Match Schedule
Match Day 1 : Saturday, 15 November 2025 (EAT)
09:00 – Tunisia vs Egypt
09:22 – Zambia vs Burkina Faso
09:44 – Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire
10:06 – Zimbabwe vs Mauritius
12:00 – Madagascar vs Egypt
12:22 – Uganda vs Burkina Faso
12:44 – Kenya vs Côte d’Ivoire
13:06 – South Africa vs Mauritius
15:00 – Madagascar vs Tunisia
15:22 – Uganda vs Zambia
15:44 – South Africa vs Zimbabwe
16:06 – Kenya vs Ghana
Match Day 2 : Sunday, 16 November 2025 (EAT)
09:00 – Cup QF1
09:22 – Cup QF2
09:44 – Cup QF3
10:06 – Cup QF4
10:28 – 9th Place SF1
10:50 – 9th Place SF2
11:30 – 5th Place SF1
11:52 – 5th Place SF2
12:14 – Cup SF1
12:36 – Cup SF2
12:58 – 11th Place Final
13:20 – 9th Place Final
15:00 – 7th Place Final
15:25 – 5th Place Final
15:54 – Bronze Final
16:30 – Gold Final
