HSBC SVNS 2: Shujaa finish third as Lionesses fail to roar in Montevideo

Kenya’s national sevens sides endured contrasting fortunes at the second leg of the HSBC SVNS 2 in Montevideo.

Shujaa secured a podium finish, while the Lionesses wrapped up their campaign at the bottom of the standings.

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Shujaa clinched third place after a hard-fought 22-14 victory over hosts, Uruguay, in their final match played on Sunday, 22 March at the Estadio Charrúa.

The result saw Shujaa maintain consistency on the SVNS 2 circuit, having also finished third during the Nairobi leg earlier in the series.

At the top of the standings, the United States national rugby sevens team were crowned champions following a commanding 29-5 win over Germany national rugby sevens team.

The Americans finished with 15 points, Germany placed second with 12, while Kenya ended third on 11 points.

In the third-place playoff, Uruguay struck first after George Ooro Angeyo was sent to the sin bin, with Francisco Landauer crossing over and converting for a 7-0 lead.

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Kenya’s discipline was tested further when Samuel Asati was also yellow-carded, but Shujaa showed resilience despite being reduced in numbers.

Patrick Odongo Okong’o turned the match on its head with a quick-fire brace, scoring in the seventh and ninth minutes.

Nygel Amaitsa added a conversion to hand Kenya a 12-7 advantage heading into the break.

The second half saw momentum firmly swing Kenya’s way after Uruguay’s Dante Soto was yellow-carded.

Okong’o completed his hat-trick to extend the lead to 17-7 before John Okoth Okeyo crossed for Kenya’s fourth try, pushing the score to 22-7, though David Nyangige missed the conversion.

Soto returned from the sin bin to score Uruguay’s second try, cutting the deficit to 22-14 as the hosts pushed for a losing bonus point, but Kenya held their nerve to seal the win and a second consecutive third-place finish.

Shujaa will now turn their attention to the next leg in São Paulo, where they will be targeting a top-two finish to strengthen their push for qualification to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

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Meanwhile, the Lionesses endured a difficult outing, finishing sixth after a 19-12 loss to the Brazil women’s national rugby sevens team in their final match.

Brazil made a blistering start, with Bianca Silva scoring early, before Maysa Fernandes converted to give the South Americans a 7-0 lead within the opening two minutes.

Kenya responded through Charity Nilla Otengo, whose well-worked try, coupled with a successful conversion, leveled the scores at 7-7.

However, Brazil regained control when Yasmim Soares powered over for a converted try to restore a 14-7 advantage.

The Lionesses remained within reach thanks to Janet Okelo’s pace, as she crossed over to narrow the deficit to 14-12 in a tightly contested encounter.

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But, Silva returned late in the second half to seal the victory with her second try, extending Brazil’s lead to 19-12 and condemning Kenya to defeat.

The loss confirmed a last-place finish for the Lionesses, who managed just five points from five matches.

Their only win of the tournament came against the Argentina women’s national rugby sevens team, with the rest of their campaign ending in defeats.