University of Johannesburg from South Africa emerged Champions for the second time at the 2nd FASU Kings of Africa Universities Rugby 7s Championship after squeezing past Stellenbosch University 14-10 in the men’s final. For the first time the women rugby 7s teams also participated in the tournament.

The Rugby 7s championship was hosted at Makerere University at the Impis Rugby ground commonly known as the Graveyard. Universities from South Africa dominated the Championships in both men and women action. The Orange machines as they’re nicknamed, University of Johannesburg defended the Rugby title after an intense competition of two days.

Merciless in attack, rigid in defense and fast-paced, University of Johannesburg edged Jomo Kenyatta University 35-5 in the quarter finals before defeating Kenyatta University in the Semifinals. According to Mpho Kunbeka, UJ captain the intense competition and early preparations helped them to defend the title.

“It was all due to the intense competition that we kept our teamwork together as a team that we were able to scoop a gold medal. We hope to represent Africa well in Kazan and make everyone proud” Mpho Kunbeka stressed.

Stellenbosch were also relentless in their 24-12 win against DayStar University from Kenya before making it to the finals while hosts Makerere University were unable to use the home advantage at a fully packed Impis stadium as they were thumped 26-12 by Kenyatta University in the quarter finals.

Like in Men’s action, the women’s final was also an all-South African affair with University of Pretoria (Tuks) emerging winners of the first women’s Kings of Africa Rugby7s Championship as University of Johannesburg scooped the second position and Makerere University finished third overall.

“Winning has always been our norm and it’s such a blessing that we have won this tournament, we’re proud that we will represent Africa and make everyone proud too. In Russia we will show other teams that rugby belongs to Africa” Sesihle Maguga, Captain Tuks women’s team

The two days event attracted 15 universities from South Africa, Uganda, Kenya and Libya. Unlike at the inaugural edition, the second edition attracted more universities and fans despite the COVID 19 restrictions in the host NUSF.

University of Johannesburg and the University of Pretoria will represent Africa at the FISU World University Rugby 7s Cup in 2022 in Kazan Russia from 12-14 August 2022 in the men’s and women’s events respectively