HSBC SVNS Division 2 2026 – Leg 1 Nairobi Tournament Preview

A dozen teams are set to compete in Nairobi in the HSBC SVNS Division 2 2026 opening round from 14-15 February, at a sold-out Nyayo National Stadium. The China Women are the sole Asian representation.

Photo Credit – World Rugby / Tony Munge – Team captains in Nairobi

South Africa, Canada, Argentina and Belgium qualified from the HSBC SVNS 3 qualifiers in Dubai earlier in 2026 and join eight sevens nations in Kenya in the first of the three legs in the Division. This will be the first time a HSBC SVNS tournament is held on African soil outside of South Africa.

President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah said, “Kenya hosting the HSBC Sevens is a massive achievement, and I say congratulations to all those involved. As I sit on the Executive Board of World Rugby, my argument a year ago was that Africa be given the right to host.

Don’t eliminate us, because surely one of the greatest visual attractions in the world is Kenya at the HSBC Sevens. They have a history of it, along with Fiji and one or two other countries — there is always a corner that says Kenya. And my argument back to the Executive Board was that Africa is capable of doing much more than we recognise.”

Photo Credit – Rugby Afrique

The top 4 teams after the accumulation of points across the three legs will progress to the HSBC SVNS Championship, which starts off at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens from 17-19 April 2026 at the Kai Tak Stadium.

The winner-takes-all HSBC SVNS Championship will feature 24 teams competing in Hong Kong (April), Valladolid (May) and Bordeaux (June).

The Kenya Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports affirmed the government’s commitment to delivering a world-class tournament and continuing its support for rugby.

HSBC SVNS Division 2 2026 – Leg 1 Nairobi Teams

Harriet Okach, Chairperson of Kenya Rugby Union, said of hosting the event, “Hosting an SVNS tournament positions Kenya firmly on the global rugby map and affirms the confidence World Rugby has in our structures, our fans, and our ability to deliver at the highest level.

For Kenya Rugby Union, it is recognition of years of intentional investment in competition delivery, commercial growth and good governance. For the country, it is about hosting the world in Nairobi and showcasing Kenya as a capable, vibrant global sporting destination.”

Women’s Teams

• China
• Argentina
• Spain
• South Africa
• Brazil
• Kenya

Usually, we would bank on the Chinese getting the job done, but they have seen many senior players retire after the National Games were played at the end of 2025 – it’s up to the new generation to get the job done. The team will face (in this order): Argentina, Kenya, Spain on Saturday, and South Africa & Brazil on Sunday.

Photo Credit – Kenya Rugby Union – Chinese 7s Women’s Team

Springbok Women’s Sevens will be seen as one of the favourites across the three legs, and won the Division 3 qualifiers. Head Coach Cecil Afrika has selected a stable team with ten players part of the victorious squad in Dubai, but Shannon-Lee Windvogel will make her debut.

Player Liske Lategan said, “It will be crucial to our road back to the top to lay a strong foundation here in Kenya. Every match will be one of survival for us, and we will treat it as such.

We prepared really well, and that showed in our tournament win recently in Dubai, where we won the SVNS 3 event. These opponents will be a step up, but we have beaten all of them before and can do so again.”

The South African player added of facing China, their passing game is very good and that allows them to play a very expansive and side-to-side match. “It will be important to use the opportunities we create against them, as they do not offer you many of those.”

The hosts’ Head Coach, Simon Adong,o has named two debutants in his Lionesses side; Charity Nilah and Marvel Oswago. “The girls are looking sharp, their spirits are high, and we’ve basically been fine-tuning our structures and ensuring that the mental state of the players is where it needs to be for a tournament of this magnitude. Now we wait for action.”

Men’s Teams

• USA
• Belgium
• Uruguay
• Germany
• Kenya
• Canada

Kenya men’s captain Samuel Asati spoke of their desire to return to the top of the HSBC SVNS ladder, “We’re going to play in front of our fans – we’ve been travelling with our fans all over the world, but now it’s a chance to play here in front of them. For sure, we are not going to disappoint [them].

Come Sunday, after the tournament, that will be the start of our journey back to Division One, and I hope we will have started quite well and set the tempo.”

Canada’s Lockie Kratz, whose side knocked out Hong Kong China in the Division 3 semifinal, said. “We are just trying to restore the standards that we had before, and I think we’re putting this programme in a good place, tournament by tournament.

We want to start this one off in Kenya with a bang and then keep building on each tournament. We’re very fortunate to be here, and we’re looking forward to it.”

The full match schedule and results can be seen here.

How To Watch HSBC SVNS Division 2 2026 – Leg 1 Nairobi

Fans can watch every match live via local broadcasters or on RugbyPass TV.

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