Kenya Shujaa and Springbok Women’s qualify for HSBC SVNS World Championship

Kenya became the third men’s side to qualify for the season-ending HSBC SVNS World Championship Series as the women’s and men’s HSBC SVNS 2 Series tournaments in Sao Paulo went to the wire.

Third in the standings heading into the last of the three HSBC SVNS 2 tournaments, Kenya opened their Sao Paulo account with a thoroughly impressive 38-7 win over already-qualified Germany to boost their chances of booking their place in the World Championships.

A surprise 14-12 defeat to Belgium, who had failed to manage a single point against them in Nairobi and Montevideo, delayed celebrations for a few hours.

But they gave their faithful, ever-singing fans even more to cheer about as they confirmed World Championship qualification with a 40-0 win over Canada. Vincent Onyala Owino scored two of their six tries – and could have had another but passed to Denis Abukuse for the honour.

Uruguay’s hard-fought victory over determined Belgium in the opening game of day two bagged the South Americans the final qualification spot. But Belgian disappointment at missing out on double promotion after moving up from HSBC SVNS 3 was tempered when Kenya’s win over Uruguay in the penultimate match of the men’s tournament handed them the Sao Paulo title, courtesy of their 14-12 day one win over the African nation.

Meanwhile, in the women’s game, hosts Brazil and Belgium thrilled the crowd on the road to the titles, while As Yaras and Uruguay claimed the two outstanding places in the HSBC SVNS World Championship Series, which kicks off in Hong Kong in April.

Heading into the third and final HSBC SVNS 2 Series tournament, Brazil’s chances of overtaking China and claiming the final ticket for the season-ending tri-tournament World Championships seemed remote. In the end, that and the Sao Paulo title were the twin prizes at stake for Brazil and Kenya in the closing match of the weekend, and it was the home nation who came out on top to take both.

Kenya’s Lionesses had earlier seemed odds on to claim that fourth World Championship Series spot as they claimed a majestic 46-0 win over China. Freshia Oduor scored four, and Faith Livoi weighed in with a double.

Argentina’s 19-5 victory over South Africa had repercussions elsewhere, as it ensured China’s hopes of qualification continued into the final round of matches. But injury-hit South Africa, who had only eight players for the final match, came back from 10-0 down to get the better of China 14-10 to end a difficult tournament on a positive note, and end their hopes of qualification.

All eyes on the HSBC SVNS World Championship

Next up for the qualifying sides is the three-tournament HSBC SVNS World Championship Series, which kicks off in Hong Kong on 17 April, before moving to Valladolid in May and finishing up in Bordeaux in June.

HSBC SVNS 2 qualifiers USA, Germany, Kenya, and Uruguay will join the eight main HSBC SVNS Series men’s sides – South Africa, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, France, Argentina, Spain, and Great Britain – in the draw.

In the women’s competition, qualifying sides Argentina, Spain, South Africa, and Brazil will line up alongside core sides New Zealand, Australia, USA, France, Canada, Fiji, Japan, and Great Britain.