The Kenya national men’s rugby sevens team, Shujaa, has taken a gigantic step toward reclaiming its status among the world’s rugby elite.

Following a stellar performance during the São Paulo leg of the HSBC SVNS II, highlighted by a dominant 38-7 opening victory over Germany, Kenya has officially qualified for the HSBC SVNS World Championship Series.

However, the road back to the top-tier Division One remains a gauntlet.

Shujaa is now set to enter a high-stakes “battleground” where they will face eight of the most established powerhouses in the sport, including Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, and France.

This qualifying series serves as the ultimate decider for the 2026/27 HSBC SVNS Division One roster.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: at the end of the circuit, the top eight teams across the three events will secure their place in the premier division, while the bottom four will be relegated to Division II.

Shujaa’s resurgence comes at a time of transition for Kenyan rugby, marked by both celebration and somber reflection within the local circuit.

As the national team prepares for the global stage, the domestic scene recently paused to honor a legend, with KCB Rugby officially retiring the Jersey 31 in tribute to the late Andrew Wekesa, a move that exhibited the deep emotional ties within the Kenyan rugby family.

For Shujaa, the mission in Hong Kong, Spain, and France is clear: consistency.

Having already proven they can dominate the second tier, the team must now show they can sustain that intensity against the world champions.

With every match potentially deciding their divisional fate for the 2027 season, the “reclaiming” of their elite status has truly begun.