All set for one-of-a-kind Easter weekend as Great Rift 10s kicks off
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 18.04.25. | 10:55
The tournament is played in a ten-a-side format, with each team having 10 players on the pitch.
Rugby fans are in for a mouthwatering Easter weekend as the 32nd edition of the Great Rift Nakuru 10s takes centre stage from Friday, 18 to Sunday, 20 April at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
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The tournament brings together top rugby teams nationwide, including women’s teams and school sides. Beyond rugby, the Great Rift 10s is a chance to enjoy Kenyan culture during the Easter holidays.
The tournament is played in a ten-a-side format, with each team having 10 players on the pitch.
Pools
Defending champions Kabras RFC have been placed in Pool A together with Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) Monks, United States International University (USIU) Marshalls, and Nakuru KITI.
The Sugarmen will be looking to defend their title after winning the 2024 edition. The then Max Adaka-coached side defeated Strathmore Leos 12-7 in the tough final.
They scored the first try early in the game, but Strathmore equalised in the second half. Kabras then scored another try in the corner, which was not converted, but it was enough to seal the win.
Kabras defeated Menengai Cream 10-0 to reach the final, while Strathmore Leos beat Menengai Zuri 17-7.
This win came just a week after Kabras claimed their third straight Kenya Cup title, beating KCB Rugby 29-5 in Kakamega. They will be hoping to rewrite history.
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Pool B has Menengai Oilers, Strathmore Leos, Egerton Wasps, and Kiambu Eagles. The Oilers will be hoping to continue their dominance after an impressive Kenya Cup season that saw them come too close to defeating Kabras RFC. They will also be looking to capitalise on the home advantage to emerge victorious.
Strathmore Leos, who came in second in last year’s edition, will be out to prove their mettle. They had a rollercoaster Kenya Cup season and will be hoping to correct their mistakes in Nakuru.
Egerton Wasps, too, are banking on their familiarity with Nakuru to secure maximum points in the tournament.
In Pool C, Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad, Nakuru RFC, University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine, and Molo RFC will lock horns.
The tournament will be curtain-raised by the age-grade category. 12 under-18 boys’ teams will face off before paving the way for five under-15 girls’ teams, which will play in a round robin format.
Following that, eight under-15 boys’ teams will battle each other, and finally, four under-12 mixed teams.
This year, all eyes will be on hosts Nakuru RFC, who will be hoping to perform well at home.
Nakuru last won the 10s tournament in 2011, sharing the title with Strathmore Leos. More than 10 years later, they will be looking to reclaim the title in front of their home fans.
They had a mixed season in the 2024/25 Kenya Cup, finishing seventh with 18 points. Despite the setback, Wanyore takes pride in their strong history.
They were Kenya Cup champions in 2013 and 2014, runners-up in 2012, and made it to the finals of the Enterprise Cup in 2014.
The team also supports young players through its youth teams for Under 12, Under 14, and Under 16.
Apart from the Great Rift 10s, the club hosts the Prinsloo Sevens, which is part of the National Sevens Circuit.
Great Rift Nakuru 10s Pools
Pool A: Kabras Sugar RFC, Catholic Monks, USIU Marshalls, Nakuru KITI
Pool B: Menengai Oilers, Strathmore Leos, Egerton Wasps, Kiambu Eagles
Pool C: Blak Blad RFC, Nakuru RFC, Mean Machine RFC, Molo RFC
Age Grade teams:
Under 18 Boys
Pool A: Nakuru RFC II, Rugby Runda, Koelel Rugby
Pool B: Nakuru RFC I, Ngong RFC, Pondo High
Pool C: Nakuru KITI, Eagles Academy, Molo RFC
Under 15 Girls
Nakuru RFC, Nakuru KITI, Newlife, Eagles Academy, Heshima Primary
Under 15 Boys
Pool A: Nakuru RFC I, Nakuru KITI, Koelel Rugby, Heshima Primary
Pool B: New Life Rugby, Nakuru RFC II, Molo RFC, Eagles Academy
Under 12 Mixed
Nakuru KITI, Nakuru I, Nakuru II, Newlife
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