The draws for the HSBC SVNS2 Nairobi leg have landed, and Nyayo National Stadium is primed for a weekend of raw sevens theatre on 14–15 February 2026. Both men’s and women’s pools promise high-octane clashes as hungry nations chase promotion, ranking points and the kind of momentum that can reshape a season.
Quick facts
Event: HSBC SVNS Division 2 — Nairobi leg
Dates: 14–15 February 2026
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
Men’s pools and what to expect
Pool A
Kenya: The hosts arrive with the crowd behind them and a reputation for physical, relentless sevens. Expect them to set a bruising tempo and use Nyayo’s atmosphere as a sixth man.
United States: Athletic, well-drilled and dangerous in transition; the Americans bring pace and structure that will test Kenya’s defensive shape.
Germany: A rising European force with clever kicking and disciplined set-piece play; they can frustrate opponents and strike on the counter.
Pool B
Uruguay: South American grit personified — tough in contact and fearless in the breakdown, Uruguay can unsettle bigger names with sheer tenacity.
Belgium: An improving side that blends organisation with opportunism; expect tight defence and sharp counterattacks.
Canada: Seasoned in sevens pedigree, Canada’s fitness and breakdown nous make them a clear promotion contender.
Women’s pools and standout traits
Pool A
China: Quick, technically neat and excellent at recycling possession; China can turn structured phases into sudden scoring bursts.
Kenya: The Lionesses will lean on physicality and home support, bringing high-intensity defence and direct, punishing runs.
Spain: Creative and tactically flexible, Spain’s backline flair and kicking game are weapons that can unlock stubborn defences.
Pool B
Brazil: Flair and speed define Brazil; individual brilliance from their attackers can flip tight contests in an instant.
South Africa: A physical powerhouse with set-piece dominance and a rugged defensive framework — immediate threats to any opponent.
Argentina: Tenacious and improving, Argentina combine aggressive defence with quick counterplay to keep rivals honest.
What to watch and tactical takeaways
Home advantage matters: Kenya’s men and women both benefit from passionate crowds and a physical game plan that could tip close matches in their favour.
Promotion on the line: Strong showings in SVNS2 can accelerate a team’s climb through the SVNS pathway, making every pool match high-stakes.
Must-see matchups: Kenya vs USA in the men’s pool and Kenya vs Spain in the women’s pool are likely to be the weekend’s defining encounters and will shape who advances.
Nyayo will be a cauldron of noise, speed and collision — a proving ground where emerging nations can announce themselves and where a few standout performances could rewrite the SVNS2 narrative.
