The debut Nairobi stop of the HSBC SVNS 2 tournament provided an exciting weekend of top-tier rugby, vibrant entertainment and dedicated fan enthusiasm at the renowned Nyayo National Stadium.
During the matches, world-renowned teams established their dominance early in the three-stage journey toward the HSBC SVNS World Championship.
Argentina national rugby sevens team and Germany national rugby sevens team secured gold medals in their respective categories, assuming leading positions in the standings following outstanding displays in Nairobi.
Kenya’s Kenya national rugby sevens team Shujaa witnessed their remarkable winning streak come to an end after a conclusive 21-5 pool loss to the United States national rugby sevens team.
The outcome momentarily quieted the local supporters, though Kenya managed to achieve a notable third-place finish on home ground.
Away from the action, the tournament ambiance remained consistently vibrant.
Entertainment sponsor Tusker created an engaging match-day experience, combining athletic competition with musical entertainment through live performances and audience interaction that maintained the stadium energy between games and during evening sessions.
Celebrated rapper Khaligraph Jones led Saturday night’s entertainment, eliciting thunderous applause from spectators who endured occasional rainfall to experience his dynamic performance.
The festive atmosphere extended into Sunday with appearances by Vijana Barubaru, whose energetic presentation enhanced the celebratory environment at the venue.
The combination of elite rugby competition and live musical performances provided the Nairobi stage with a unique character beyond athletic competition, establishing it as both a sporting and cultural showcase.
With substantial crowd numbers, closely fought matches and an engaging entertainment schedule, Nairobi’s effective demonstration as host emphasized Kenya’s developing status as a leading location for international rugby gatherings, establishing an impressive standard for the forthcoming series stops in Montevideo and São Paulo.