Rugby 7s Semis Promise Fireworks in Thika

Upper Hill School, Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho, Butula Senior School and Friends School Bokoli moved into the boys’ semi-finals of the KSSSA National Term Two Games rugby sevens competition in Thika on Tuesday. The last-four ties are scheduled for Wednesday at MPesa Foundation Academy in Kiambu County, according to The Star. The tournament is part of the KCB-backed Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association games running from August 2 to August 6. Coaches from the remaining teams said the semi-finals would test form, depth and recovery after three days of matches. ### Which teams are left in the boys’ title race? The Star reported on August 4 that Upper Hill will face Cardinal Otunga in the first boys’ semi-final, while Butula will meet Friends School Bokoli in the second. Upper Hill reached the semi-finals with a 29-5 win over Kirangari, and Cardinal Otunga beat Kwale High School 10-5 with a last-minute try. Bokoli shut out St Anthony’s Kitale 14-0, while Butula beat Laiser Hill Academy 17-7. (the-star.co.ke) Friends School Bokoli arrived in Thika as Western region champions and made the quarter-finals after opening wins over Friends School Anjego and All Saints Embu. Upper Hill also secured an early quarter-final place on Monday after beating All Saints Embu 7-0 and Anjego 19-14. Cardinal Otunga and Butula were among the sides that also came through the group stage with wins on the opening two days. (the-star.co.ke) ### Why is Butula versus Bokoli drawing extra attention? Butula coach Bonfontra Alumasa told The Star his side wants to overturn a 14-0 loss to Bokoli in the Western Region final. Alumasa said Butula is trying to reclaim a national sevens title the school last won in 2013. “We want to avenge the loss at the regionals,” he said. (staging.the-star.co.ke) Western teams have shaped the boys’ bracket throughout the week. Standard Media reported that Bokoli and Butula both opened strongly in Thika, with Bokoli beating Anjego Mixed and All Saints Embu and Butula routing Kamuiru. That form has carried both schools into a rematch with a place in the final at stake. (the-star.co.ke) ### What are coaches saying before Wednesday’s semi-finals? Cardinal Otunga coach Edwin Metobo told The Star that his team expected “another stern test” against Upper Hill after a tight quarter-final win over Kwale. “It has been a tough championship but so far, so good. We are looking forward to the encounter against Upper Hill,” Metobo said. (standardmedia.co.ke) Upper Hill coach Eustace Sifuna said his side is chasing a rare schools double after winning the national 15s title earlier in 2026. “Expect fireworks against Cardinal Otunga on Wednesday,” Sifuna said, adding that Upper Hill’s aim is to win both the 15s and 7s national titles in the same year. Sifuna had earlier said the competition in Thika had been “very stiff” after Upper Hill sealed its quarter-final place on Monday. (the-star.co.ke) ### What else is happening in the tournament? Kinale Girls remained in contention for the girls’ title after beating Itigo Girls 12-7 in a quarter-final on Tuesday, The Star reported. Kimobo eliminated last year’s finalists St Joseph’s Girls Kitale 26-20, Mbakalo beat Nyagichenche 24-12, and St Teresa’s Kithimu defeated Mbagathi Girls 12-0 to complete the girls’ semi-final lineup. (the-star.co.ke) The girls’ event opened with Kinale trying to defend the national crown it won in 2025. Coach Allan Bush said before the tournament that Kinale was also targeting the FEASSA championships in Morogoro, Tanzania, from August 12 to 23, but that the immediate objective was the national sevens title in Thika. ### What comes next in Thika? (the-star.co.ke) Wednesday, August 5, is the semi-final day for the rugby sevens competition at MPesa Foundation Academy. The boys’ bracket has Upper Hill against Cardinal Otunga and Butula against Friends School Bokoli, while the girls’ field includes Kinale, Kimobo, Mbakalo and St Teresa’s Kithimu. The KSSSA National Term Two Games are scheduled to run through Thursday, August 6, in Thika. (the-star.co.ke) (the-star.co.ke)