Kenya and Portugal have been topped champions of the HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 following the third leg of the collection in Krakow, Poland over the weekend.
Within the males’s division, Portugal overcame Samoa within the closing and league-leaders Germany within the semi-finals to assert glory.
Followers have been handled to a tantalising showdown with the groups due to enter half-time degree had it not been for the spectacular talent of Manuel Vareiro with an up-and-under-kick which noticed them edge into the lead.
Finally Portugal have been capable of preserve forward with Fabio Conceicao sealing their destiny.
Portugal’s Captain Fabio Conceicao commented after the win: “It’s been wonderful for us as a younger group coming to this match with massive groups. We knew we may beat anybody and that’s what we did, we confirmed it on the pitch.”
Historical past was made as Kenya Ladies have been topped general champions of the HSBC Sevens Challenger Collection, following a string of spectacular performances throughout all three rounds.
They kicked off their marketing campaign in fashion by profitable the opening two tournaments in Cape City, displaying consistency, talent, and resilience all through.
Their dominance in Cape City set the tone — securing back-to-back titles with commanding wins.
Regardless of a troublesome closing leg in Krakow, the place they completed third at Henryk Reyman’s Municipal Stadium, their cumulative success was sufficient to seal the collection crown.
Kenya’s Captain Grace Okulu mentioned after elevating the trophy: “It’s really been a troublesome couple of days in Krakow however we bounced again and we have been capable of win the collection. Since final 12 months we didn’t qualify so this 12 months we actually had loads to do.
“It really feels wonderful, I don’t suppose anybody in Kenya Rugby has ever carried out this! However being the primary females and for us to be the champions of the collection, it really means a lot to us.
“It’s all the time good having Kenyans round, it’s all the time a celebration! If you recognize the place the get together is, you’ll all the time discover Kenyans! We’re so fortunate so have our followers come to help us all the best way.”
South Africa capped off a dominant weekend in Krakow within the ladies’s competitors with a convincing 21-12 win over Argentina within the closing showdown of the day, following a 22-0 shutout in opposition to the identical opponents the day earlier than.
Having twice completed runners-up to Kenya within the collection, this time it was South Africa’s second to shine. The Springbok Ladies received all their fixtures throughout each days, showcasing medical execution and relentless tempo.
Their unbeaten run in Krakow secured them the highest prize and marked a standout efficiency to shut out the Challenger collection on a excessive and reaffirm their standing as a powerhouse on the sevens stage.
The 2025 version of the Challenger competitors kicked off with mixed occasions over two weekends in Cape City on 1-2 and 7-8 March, adopted by Henryk Reyman’s Municipal Stadium in Krakow on 11-12 April. Subsequent up, all eyes are on the HSBC SVNS Play-off in Los Angeles on 3-4 Could.
