Nile Special 7s Stone City Circuit set for Saturday

Saturday and Sunday in Jinja

Nile Special 7s Stone City Circuit

Jinja Hippos

Jinja plays host to the opening round of the 2023 Rugby Nile Special Sevens tournament, with the Stone City circuit at Dam Waterz ground on Saturday and Sunday.

The two-day action-packed tournament is expected to be more bruising than ever before as both the men's and women's teams will battle each other for maximum points.

The seven circuits will all have 16 men’s sides and six women's sides.

Kobs and Platinum Credit Heathens who missed the Nile Special Rugby Premier League title, target the sevens to rejuvenate their trophy-less season.

Defending champions Jinja Hippos who are hosting the opening circuit of the sevens series target nothing less than a win as they plot to defend their title won last year.

Team skipper David Wako said that his men are ready to defend their title.

 “We have been going through intense training and the squad is ready to take on any opposition and we are also excited to host the first circuit,” Wako said.

Hippos won both the jinja leg which was the Kyabazinga 7s and the overall 7s circuit last year.

However, the Stanbic Black Pirates are targeting a double this season after winning the league, making this weekend’s sevens a thriller. 

Pirates boosts of experienced players including Isaac Massa, Ivan Magomu, Conrad Wanyama, Abubar Wandera, and Timothy Odongo.

The other teams including, Toyota Buffaloes, Plascon Mongers, Makerere Impis, Walukuba Titans, Jaguars Rams, Boks, Kyambogo, Rhinos, Warriors, Eagles, and Crocs are all eyeing victory in the opening circuit.

Women on

Meanwhile, the national women's sevens team coach Charles Onen and his deputy Kigongo Sebalamu will use the first and second leg of the Nile Special 7s circuit to test their players on the national team.

The team preparing for the Africa7s tournament in Tunisia in October will be divided into two sides Lady Rugby Cranes 1 and 2 to face challenging clubs including Thunderbirds, Avengers, Nile Rapids, and defending champions the Black Pearls Rugby Club.

Defending champions Black Pearls are aiming for maximum points.

Boosted by the 15s league title and Impala tour title won early this year, the Lone Africa and Glo Foods-sponsored team is targeting continued victory starting with the Jinja circuit.  

The Black Pearls, Thunderbirds, Lady Cranes1, Nile Rapids and Lady Cranes 2, and Avengers are the women's sides competing in this year’s national sevens circuit.

The clubs in the first two circuits will miss their players training with the national team preparing for Olympic Qualifiers.