RFUEA grounds were a battleground as the Christie 7s went down on 16th and 17th August 2025. The atmosphere was tense as the rugby festival kicked off to a bone-crunching start. The event was organized by the Kenya Harlequins Club and represented the third leg of the SportPesa National Sevens circuit. The magnitude of the event spoke for itself. 81 teams. More than 900 players. Throngs of Kenyans. Electrifying action. Pulse. Adrenaline. A fun-filled weekend. The Christie 7s delivered beyond expectation.
An Electric Atmosphere
The scene at RFUEA was akin to a Saturday night out during the daytime. Fans were well represented, turning up in a variety of costumes, elaborate face paint, and donning jerseys of their favorite rugby teams. Music and DJs were in plenty of supply, while street food, think nyama choma, smokies, boiled eggs laced with kachumbari, were in constant supply. The event organizers were also mindful to include a family section, as well as an executive lounge that provided exclusivity and comfort. However, all the fun was in the stands, where Kenyans from all walks of life brought the house down with infectious energy and a united front, connected by their love for rugby.
Highlights
Rugby fans chase pulsating action punctuated by tries, crunching tackles, and immaculate feats of strength, and the Christie 7s was no exception.
Day 1
Day 1 featured the hosts, Kenya Harlequins, who thumped Mombasa Rugby by a score line of 34-15, setting the tone for the competitive nature of this series. Catholic Monks thrashed Impala RFC 33-5, cutting through them with power and precision. This theme was recurrent when KCB walloped Nondies 37-12. The women’s matches followed suit. NYS ladies dominated Kulabu 33-0 and scraped past Rongo University 23-17. The veterans also had a field day, which provided a nostalgic touch.
Day 2
Fans were on the edge of their seats with end-to-end action from the clubs present. The day saw KCB crowned the winners after beating the Menengai Oilers by 17-5. For KCB, this victory was a watershed moment, highlighting their resilience and will to bounce back from a rather disappointing outing at the Prinsloo 7s tournament. KCB have now clinched two series in the National sevens circuit; the Driftwoods 7s and the Christie 7s. Underdogs in this series included the Daystar Falcons, Zetech, and Catholic Monks, who upset established clubs such as Kabras Sugar, Mombasa Rugby, and Impala RFC, respectively.
What to Look Out for in Subsequent Rugby Events
With the second half of the SportPesa National Sevens circuit set to kick off with the Safari 7s, the Christie 7s served as a premonition for the ultimate experiences that rugby fans are guaranteed to have. Fans should expect heavyweights such as KCB and Strathmore to come out guns blazing. The Safari 7s is set to take place at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi from October 10th to 12th. Therefore, save the date, and expect muscle and maximum testosterone in what promises to be another round of high-octane action.
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