Shujaa drawn in tough Pool A as Valladolid SVNS test awaits

Shujaa will face South Africa, Australia, and Great Britain in Pool A, a grouping that presents both opportunity and danger based on recent form.

Kenya heads into the tournament on the back of a seventh-place finish at the Hong Kong Sevens 2026, a campaign that highlighted both their resilience and inconsistency.

Against South Africa, Kenya proved they can compete at the highest level, narrowly losing 26–22 in the Hong Kong quarter-finals after leading late into the match.

That result will offer belief, but also serve as a reminder of the need for composure when closing out games.

Australia, meanwhile, remain a tactical challenge, having beaten Kenya 14–5 in their Hong Kong opener, exposing defensive lapses and disrupting Shujaa’s attacking rhythm.

Great Britain could present Kenya’s clearest path to a crucial pool victory. Despite not meeting in Hong Kong, Britain finished below Kenya in the standings, and past encounters between the two sides have often been tightly contested.

That fixture may ultimately decide Shujaa’s chances of progressing to the knockout rounds.

Key to Kenya’s hopes will be maintaining the fighting spirit shown in Hong Kong, where they rebounded from early defeats to secure a quarter-final place with a decisive win over the USA.