Everything you need to know about the inaugural Ruff n Tuff 7s
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 12.07.25. | 08:00
With the official pool draws now released, the tournament promises thrilling encounters and a platform for overlooked talents to shine
All roads lead to Ngong Racecourse this Saturday, 12 July, for the inaugural Ruff n Tuff 7s.
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This one-day community-centred rugby tournament brings together eight determined clubs eager to make their mark ahead of the 2025 National Sevens Circuit.
With the official pool draws now released, the tournament organised by Nondies RFC promises thrilling encounters and a platform for overlooked talents to shine.
Pool A is stacked with heavyweights. Kenya Harlequin, fresh off their 2024 National Sevens Circuit triumph, headline a group that includes the ever-improving Strathmore Leos, Nakuru RFC, and university side Blak Blad.
A balanced mix makes up Pool B with seasoned and rising teams such as USIU, Impala Saracens, Nondescripts RFC, and Mwamba RFC all vying for top honours.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Nondies Chairman Richard Muturi, who also doubles up as Crown Paints CEO, said the tourney aims at promoting rugby.
"As Crown, we are happy to be part of the journey to promote rugby in Kenya. We recently engaged with KRU to support Shujaa in the final three legs of the HSBC World Series.
From the positive feedback we received, we decided to start a tournament that supports and promotes the game,” he explained.
Muturi went on to note that the tournament is purposefully designed as a non-commercial, community-based tourney, with a long-term goal of nurturing talent for the national stage.
“What’s common with the teams participating is that none of them has corporate sponsorship.
This tournament is about giving community clubs a platform and helping them become a feeder system for the national team," he offered.
He emphasised that the long-term vision is to create a pipeline for national team talent, while also questioning whether players from community clubs are given a fair chance in national team selections.
The tournament also reflects Crown’s growing involvement in Kenyan rugby. After backing Shujaa in the final legs of the HSBC SVNS, the paint manufacturers are now taking a step further by supporting development at the grassroots level.
Both Strathmore Leos and Nondies come into the Ruff n Tuff 7s on the back of solid showings at Uganda’s Kampala 7s, where they sailed through the pool stages unbeaten.
Although neither team made it to the final, their performances underlined the quality that will be on display this weekend.
The Ruff n Tuff 7s will act as the first real test for clubs ahead of the National Sevens Circuit, which begins with the Driftwood 7s in Mombasa on Saturday, 26 to Sunday, 27 July, followed by a packed calendar leading up to the Dala 7s in Kisumu this September.
Reigning champions Kenya Harlequin will be using the tournament to set the tone for their title defense, having edged Kabras Sugar by just four points last season to lift their first circuit crown since 2012.
