KRU explain shelving Rugby Super Series for second year running

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has explained its decision to shelve the Rugby Super Series (RSS) for the second consecutive year.

The union cited the need to prioritize other competitions and ensure the long-term sustainability of the tournament.

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The Super Series was last held in 2024 following a ten-year hiatus, marking a historic return for a competition that was first introduced in 2003.

However, it did not take place in 2025 as the national men’s 15s team, Kenya Simbas, shifted focus to preparations for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Uganda.

This year, the union has again opted against staging the competition, instead emphasizing the inter-country Enterprise Cup.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, KRU Director in charge of Fixtures and Competitions Leslie Mwangale said the decision was strategic rather than a sign of abandonment.

“Super Series helps us prepare for the World Cup. Since this wasn’t a World Cup qualifying year, we opted to focus on the Enterprise Cup as our inter-country competition,” Mwangale said.

“That said, Super Series is a product we are very keen on developing. It’s a major initiative for us, but we need a little time to assess how best it can work,” he added.

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He went on to add that the union is keen to avoid inconsistency once the tournament is fully reintroduced.

“We are not doing this just for the sake of it. When we launch it, we want it to run consistently, without stop-starts. Once it kicks off, our goal is to have it featured every year on the calendar,” he said.

The Rugby Super Series was designed as a high-performance competition aimed at elevating the standard of play among Kenya’s elite players while providing a structured pathway into the Simbas setup.

Its 2024 return came with significant reforms, including the introduction of women’s teams for the first time.

The men’s competition featured four franchises: Buffaloes, Cheetahs, Lions, and Rhinos, all drawn from Kenya Cup clubs, while the women’s category saw national players split into Eagles and Jaguars.

The men’s format involved a round-robin across three match days held in Kakamega, Nakuru, and Nairobi, with the top two teams progressing to the final at the RFUEA Grounds.

Historically, the revived 2024 edition had been framed as a major step forward for the 15s game in the country, following an 11-year break.

Teams were regionally structured, with Buffaloes based in Kakamega, Cheetahs in Nakuru, Lions in Nairobi, and Rhinos comprising clubs along Ngong Road.

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Despite its absence over the past two seasons, KRU insists the competition remains central to its long-term plans.

The 2024 edition was won by the Menengai Cream Cheetahs, who edged KCB Bank Lions 18-10 in the final at RFUEA Grounds on May 25.

Coached by Lawrence Buyachi, the side secured their third title, with Amos Obae named player of the tournament.