Kevin Wekesa retained ahead of 2026 India's Rugby Premier League

Kenya Sevens forward Kevin Wekesa has been retained by the Hyderabad Heroes ahead of the 2026 Rugby Premier League season.

Wekesa, who featured prominently in the league’s inaugural campaign, will once again turn out for the Indian franchise when the competition returns from June 16–28 at the Gachibowli Stadium.

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The Rugby Premier League made history in 2025 as the world’s first franchise-based rugby sevens competition, debuting at the Mumbai Football Arena.

The tournament attracted top-tier talent from the HSBC SVNS Series, delivering a fast-paced spectacle aimed at accelerating the growth and global competitiveness of rugby in India.

Season two is expected to maintain the same intensity and structure, featuring six city-based franchises and a blend of international stars and emerging Indian players.

The teams include the Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers, and Mumbai Dreamers.

In the maiden edition, the Chennai Bulls emerged as champions after a dominant 41-0 victory over Delhi Redz in the final held at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex.

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The Hyderabad Heroes, with Wekesa playing a key role, secured a third-place finish after edging out the Bengaluru Bravehearts 17-12 in the bronze playoff.

Wekesa was one of only two Kenyan players involved in the inaugural season, alongside Patrick Odongo, who impressed for Delhi Redz under the guidance of Tomasi Cama.

The Hyderabad Heroes were coached by former New Zealand Sevens captain DJ Forbes.

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The 2026 edition is set to expand its footprint further, with Rugby India introducing a women’s competition for the first time.

The inaugural women’s league will feature four franchise teams, with Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Mumbai Dreamers, and Kolkata Banga Tigers all set to field sides.