Kabras youngster makes late entry to Kenya Sevens squad headed to France
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 03.06.26. | 17:17
His latest call-up now presents another opportunity to stake a claim in Kevin Wambua's squad as Kenya seek to finish the season on a high
Kabras Sugar RFC fullback Jackson Siketi has received a late call-up to the Kenya Sevens national team, Shujaa, ahead of the final leg of the 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship set for Bordeaux, France, from Friday, 5 to Sunday, 7 June.
The exciting youngster replaces Nygel Amaitsa, who suffered an injury during Kenya's final Pool A match against Great Britain in Valladolid, Spain, on Saturday, 30 May.
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Despite Amaitsa's setback, Shujaa secured a hard-fought 12-7 victory to book a second consecutive quarterfinal appearance on the HSBC SVNS circuit.
Siketi's inclusion marks a return to the national setup for the highly-rated back, who has steadily risen through the ranks over the past three years.
The former Koyonzo Boys High School star first captured national attention in 2023 when he swept the Most Valuable Player(MVP) awards at both the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Games and the East Africa Games.
His impressive performances earned him a move to Kabras Sugar RFC in 2024, where he enjoyed an immediate impact.
Siketi helped the Kakamega-based side secure their maiden Dala Sevens title and walked away with both the tournament MVP and Player of the Final awards.
His rapid rise continued in 2025 when he earned his first Shujaa call-up for the Vancouver Sevens.
Siketi was also named the Most Promising Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Rugby Africa Men's Sevens Cup in Mauritius while representing the Kenya Morans.
However, his momentum was interrupted after he suffered a concussion during preparations for the Nairobi leg of the HSBC SVNS Series in January, forcing him to miss the tournament.
His latest call-up now presents another opportunity to stake a claim in Kevin Wambua's squad as Kenya seek to finish the season on a high.
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Shujaa head to Bordeaux fresh from an eighth-place finish at the penultimate round in Valladolid.
Kenya have been handed a daunting task in France after being drawn in Pool A alongside HSBC SVNS series champions South Africa, Olympic silver medallists Fiji and Great Britain.
The pool is widely considered one of the toughest in the competition, featuring three sides with extensive experience and proven success on the World Sevens circuit.
For Wambua's charges, the tournament also offers an opportunity for redemption against familiar opponents.
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Kenya have already faced South Africa twice this season, losing narrowly 26-22 in Hong Kong before suffering a 14-0 defeat in Valladolid.
Shujaa will be hoping to reverse that trend when they meet the Blitzboks again in Bordeaux.
There is, however, cause for optimism following their recent victory over Great Britain in Spain, a result that highlighted Kenya's growing confidence and ability to challenge some of the world's best teams.
Fiji are expected to provide another stern test. The Pacific Islanders remain one of the most formidable sides in international sevens rugby and will be among the favourites to challenge for the title.
Elsewhere, Pool B features Australia, Spain, the United States, and Uruguay, while Pool C comprises Argentina, New Zealand, hosts France and Germany.
The Bordeaux Sevens will bring the curtain down on the 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship season, with the men's and women's world titles to be decided at Stade Atlantique.
Beyond silverware, teams will also be battling for a top-eight finish, which guarantees qualification for the 2027 HSBC SVNS Series.