2025 National 7s Circuit permutations: Battle for title goes down the wire ahead of final leg

The 2025 National Sevens Circuit heads to Kisumu from Saturday, 13 to Sunday, 14 September, for the much-anticipated final leg of the 2025 season, Dala 7s.

The tournament, whose name “Dala” means home in Luo, has been a mainstay on the rugby calendar since 2003, and this year doubles up as the battleground for the circuit’s overall crown.

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KCB Rugby lead the standings with 104 points after five rounds, while Strathmore Leos sit second on 95.

With a maximum of 132 points available this season, the battle for the title has narrowed to these two sides.

Menengai Oilers, who can only reach 99, are mathematically out of contention.

KCB’s dominance

The Bankers are in pole position to reclaim the crown, needing only a fourth-place finish or better in Kisumu to guarantee the championship regardless of Strathmore’s results.

They have already lifted three titles this season: Driftwood, Christie, and Kabeberi, and finished strongly at Prinsloo and Embu.

Their form recalls the dominance of Homeboyz in 2016, when the Deejays stormed every final and amassed over 128 points.

So far in 2025, only Strathmore have managed to stop them, beating the Bankers twice. But KCB’s consistency, depth, and tournament-winning pedigree make them clear favourites heading into the Dala 7s.

Strathmore’s uphill climb

For Strathmore, the mission is far tougher.

The students last lifted the National 7s Circuit title in 2009, and while this season initially looked like their best chance to end the drought, a slip during the Kabeberi 7s last weekend meant they must now outscore KCB by at least 10 points in Kisumu.

If Strathmore win Dala 7s, they will only be crowned champions if KCB falter to sixth place or worse.

A fifth-place finish for the bankers would leave both teams tied on 117 points, with tie-breakers deciding the winner.

A second-place finish for Strathmore would require KCB to tumble all the way down to ninth, while finishing third would only matter if KCB collapsed to tenth or worse. Any result beyond that all but hands KCB the crown.

©Tabby Nashipae

Title permutations

The permutations make the equation clear: should KCB secure fourth place or better, collecting at least 15 points, they will be crowned champions outright.

A fifth-place finish would open the door to a tie only if Strathmore win, but otherwise KCB still claim the title.

Anything lower than sixth for the bankers would invite Strathmore back into the race, but even then, the Leos must deliver a perfect tournament to take advantage. In short, the title remains firmly in KCB’s hands, with Strathmore clinging to slim hopes of an upset.

©Tabby Nashipae

Dala 7s heritage

Beyond the title race, the Dala 7s itself carries a rich history.

Kabras RFC enter as defending champions, having lifted their maiden crown in 2024 with a commanding 24-5 win over Menengai Oilers at Mamboleo Grounds.

The most decorated side in the tournament’s history is KCB Rugby, with six titles to their name. Their victories stretch back to 2004 and include memorable triumphs in 2006, 2014; when Philip Wamae, Edwin Salamba, and Oliver Mang’eni inspired them past Homeboyz, 2019, 2023, and others that cemented their dominance.

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Mwamba RFC, powered in their golden years by Collins Injera and Humphrey Kayange, boast three titles, as do Homeboyz, whose emphatic 2016 campaign included a record 48-5 victory over Kenya Harlequin.

Harlequin themselves have two titles (2005, 2012), as do Nakuru RFC (2009, 2015).

Ulinzi were the inaugural champions in 2003, while Strathmore Leos etched their name on the roll of honour with a single victory in 2013.

©Tabby Nashipae

Dala 7s Roll of Honour (Since 2003) and 2025 Pools

2003: Ulinzi

2004: KCB Rugby

2005: Kenya Harlequin

2006: KCB Rugby

2007: No competition

2008: No competition

2009: Nakuru

2010: Mwamba

2011: Mwamba

2012: Kenya Harlequin

2013: Strathmore Leos

2014: KCB Rugby

2015: Nakuru

2016: Homeboyz

2017: Homeboyz

2018: Mwamba

2019: KCB Rugby

2020: No competition (COVID-19)

2021: No competition (COVID-19)

2022: Homeboyz

2023: KCB Rugby

2024: Kabras

Summary of titles:

KCB Rugby – 6 | Mwamba RFC – 3 | Homeboyz RFC – 3 | Kenya Harlequin – 2 | Nakuru RFC – 2 | Ulinzi – 1 | Strathmore Leos – 1 | Kabras RFC – 1

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2025 Pools

Pool A: Kabras Sugar, CUEA Monks, MMUST, Nakuru RFC

Pool B: Daystar Falcons, MSC Rugby, Kenya Harlequin, Nondescripts

Pool C: KCB Rugby, Mwamba RFC, Homeboyz, Embu RFC

Pool D: Strathmore Leos, Menengai Oilers, Impala RFC, Kisumu RFC