School Games: Kisii School to face Vihiga as all set for KSSSA National rugby finals

Kisii School rugby players psyche themselves before a past match on March 15, 2025 in Migori. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Less than two weeks are left for the much-awaited Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Rugby 15s Championship, with the boys' pools already set, the scene for an action-packed fight for the best schoolboy rugby teams in the nation, all keen on leaving their mark on the records of high school rugby history.

Coast, the host, has two teams represented in the tournament: Marafa and Serani. Marafa has a tough Pool A with Western Region heavyweights Vihiga, Nyanza's Kisii, and Rift Valley champions Bwake.

Serani, the co-host, has Pool B with Nairobi champions Upper Hill, Central's representative, Mangu, and Eastern Region's giant, All Saints.

The national qualification was drama-filled across the regions. Kisii also qualified in dramatic style, overcoming a resilient St. Mary's Yala with a last-minute penalty in the Nyanza regional final.

The discipline and composure under pressure will come in handy when they face battle-hardened sides in Pool A.

Defending champions All Saints proved why they remain the power to be reckoned with in the Eastern Region, brushing aside the opposition with ease. Their resounding 56-0 victory against Marsabit Mixed in the final was a statement, showing that they are not yet ready to relinquish their national crown.

In the Central Region, Mangu proved their mettle by overcoming stiff competition to earn their spot at the nationals. They are now poised to be put to the ultimate test as to whether or not they can go all the way and dethrone the best school rugby teams in the country.

Bwake, representing Rift Valley, proved their mettle in a closely contested 10-5 win against St. Patrick's Iten, with their physical play proving to be the turning point.

Nairobi champions Upper Hill head to the nationals with confidence as they thrashed Nairobi School 43-3 in the regional finals.

They are the favourites, with their organized play and physical presence, but with the depth of talent in both pools, they will need to be at their best to take the national title.