The 2026 Africa Women's Sevens Championship kicked off in Nairobi on Saturday, with eleven national teams competing over two days for the continental title and a place in the World Rugby HSBC SVNS 3 competition.

The tournament, staged at the RFUEA Grounds and organised by Rugby Africa as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, runs until Sunday 8 November. The best-placed team outside South Africa will earn Africa's sole ticket to the SVNS 3 tournament in Dubai, scheduled for 27 to 29 November.

Defending champions South Africa headline Pool A alongside Zambia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda. The South Africans have won the continental title 13 times, including a 22-0 victory over Kenya in last year's final, but they are not eligible for the qualification place because they already compete in the higher SVNS 2 competition.

Hosts Kenya, known as the Lionesses, are in Pool B with Tunisia and Ghana. They opened their campaign against Ghana at 1:34pm East African Time on Saturday before facing Tunisia at 4:40pm. Kenya are chasing a return to the international second tier after relegation from SVNS 2, and head coach Simon Odongo has called on home supporters to turn out in large numbers.

Pool C features Uganda, Madagascar, Mauritius and Burkina Faso. The opening match of the tournament saw Madagascar take on Mauritius at 9:00am, with knockout rounds and the final set for Sunday.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, are notably absent from the championship, with the Lady Stallions not taking part despite a growing domestic rugby base. Matches are being broadcast live on RugbyPass TV and Rugby Africa's YouTube channel and Facebook page.

[Source: rugbyafrica.org](https://rugbyafrica.org/news/africa-womens-sevens-where-to-watch-as-11-teams-battle-for-hsbc-svns-3-qualification-in-nairobi) | [Source: extrasportsnigeria.com](https://extrasportsnigeria.com/africa-womens-sevens-kicks-off-in-nairobi-without-nigeria/)