Defending Safari Sevens champions Samurai top nine other teams that have already confirmed participation in the 21st edition of the Safari Sevens slated for September 23-25 at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.
Hosts Kenya, England Saxons, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Red Wailers, Australia Iconz and South Africa’s Western Province will be chasing glory in the event in Nairobi. Six other teams are expected to confirm participation in the next few days as the tournament targets to feature 16 teams. Safari Sevens will run concurrently with the Africa Cup Sevens.
According to Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) fixtures and competitions director, Moses Ndale, the Africa Cup Sevens will kick off on September 23 with the finals being played on the following day as Safari Sevens continues till September 25.
The Africa Cup Sevens has also attracted 12 teams in the men’s category including defending champions Kenya Shujaa. The Kenya side edged Zimbabwe 22-17 in the final in Johannesburg to qualify for the just concluded Rio Olympics. Morocco, Tunisia, Namibia, Madagascar, Uganda, Nigeria, Botswana, Zambia, Mauritius and Senegal will also feature in the tournament.
The women’s category of the Africa Sevens series will run earlier from September 18 in Zimbabwe and Kenya Lionesses have been pitted in Pool ‘B’ alongside Tunisia, Madagascar and Uganda.
Pool ‘A’ of the competition features defending champions South Africa, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Namibia. Botswana and Zambia were dropped from the competition after a dismal performance last year.