Kabras Sugar seek second Prinsloo Sevens title

Kabras Sugar RFC will be looking to reclaim glory at the Prinsloo Sevens this weekend as the second leg of the 2025 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit gets underway at Nakuru Athletic Club.

The sugar men, who last lifted the Prinsloo title in 2023, are eager to bounce back after a mixed start to the new season, where they settled for third place at the Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa last weekend. That result left them trailing early leaders KCB RFC and Strathmore Leos in the overall standings.

Kabras head coach Marlin Mukolwe has made four changes to his squad for the Nakuru tournament. Key forward Kevin Wekesa is unavailable as he travels for the Monaco Sevens, while Clinton Litali, Mike Lukusi, and Sam Omollo will also miss out.

Their places have been taken by former Kenya Under-20 back rower Jacktone Osoo, Biden Hayo, Collins Osore, and exciting speedster Humphrey Asiligwa.

The experienced core of Hillary Salano, Brian Mutua, Patrick Kluivert, Eric Cantona, Victor Otieno, and Lamec Ambetsa remain in the squad as Kabras aim to mount a strong title challenge.

Kabras have been drawn in Pool D alongside MMUST, Impala RFC, and Mwamba RFC - a pool that promises highly competitive matches given the strength and history of the teams involved.

Coach Mukolwe expressed confidence in his reshuffled squad ahead of the Nakuru showdown. "We want to compete at the highest level, and this tournament is a good chance for us to improve from Mombasa. The boys coming in have trained well and are ready to step up. Our goal is to win another Prinsloo title."

The Prinsloo Sevens, one of Kenya's most celebrated rugby tournaments, began in 2007 in honour of South African rugby figure Pete Walter (Peter) Prinsloo. Prinsloo revitalised rugby in the Nakuru region during the 1980s, inspiring generations of players despite serious health challenges that saw him lose limbs and play from a wheelchair.

Held annually at the Nakuru Athletic Club, the tournament has become a key leg of the National Sevens Circuit, known for its electric atmosphere and strong community support.

Mwamba RFC holds the record with five titles, followed closely by KCB RFC with four, including a three-peat between 2012 and 2014.

Other winners include Nakuru RFC, Strathmore Leos, Homeboyz, Menengai Oilers, and Kabras Sugar, who broke through for their maiden title in 2023.

Nakuru has often been the stage for iconic rugby moments, with local stars such as Oscar Ouma, Geoffrey Ominde, and Grace Okulu emerging from the club's youth programmes to represent Kenya on global stages like the Olympics.

Last year, Strathmore Leos edged Nondescripts in a thrilling final to lift the Prinsloo title, while Menengai Oilers, Homeboyz, and Nakuru RFC have also tasted success in recent years.

For Kabras, this year's tournament represents both an opportunity to cement their place in the top tier of the standings and to prove that their 2023 victory was no fluke. With rivals KCB and Strathmore in hot form, the battle for points in Nakuru is expected to be fierce as teams continue their chase for the National Sevens Circuit crown.