Woeful Kenya 7s drop to Challenge Trophy in London

What you need to know:

  • USA would later turn the tables on South Africa, winning 24-12 as both sides eased through from Pool A to the Cup quarters.
  • Shujaa’s 28-17 consolation victory against former World champions Wales in their last pool match salvaged nothing as they will now cool their heels in the Challenge trophy quarterfinals for the eighth time this season.

Twickenham Stadium, fondly known as the cathedral of rugby, turned into a nightmare for Kenya Sevens after they were blown apart by Mike Friday’s USA and South Africa during the London Sevens on Saturday.

After a close run against newly crowned World Rugby Sevens Series champions South Africa, losing 12-10 in Pool A’s opening match, many thought Shujaa could just have an edge over their former head coach’s side USA.

However, that didn’t happen after USA, who had lost to Wales 28-18, led 26-0 at the break before crushing Shujaa 47-0.

USA would later turn the tables on South Africa, winning 24-12 as both sides eased through from Pool A to the Cup quarters.

Shujaa’s 28-17 consolation victory against former World champions Wales in their last pool match salvaged nothing as they will now cool their heels in the Challenge trophy quarterfinals for the eighth time this season.

Shujaa started well against Blitzebokke when skipper Andrew Amonde swung a good delivery to Billy Odhiambo on the right to score. Samuel Oliech missed the conversion to allow South Africa plough back to level through Ruhan Nel, who evaded two tackles from Kenyan players.

Amonde turned the villain when he went for a high tackle that saw him sin-binned. Eden Agero could have scored Shujaa’s second try but was judged to have stepped on the line.

It’s Rosco Specman who gave South Africa a lead 12-5 after he sliced through to score before Cecil Africa converted. Bush Mwale then dummied through to lay out Nelson Oyoo for a thrilling try but Oliech missed the crucial conversion that could have leveled the scores.