HSBC Dubai 7s: Shujaa Humbled By SA And England, Lionesses Remain Unbeaten

NAIROBI, Kenya- Seabelo Senatla came off the bench on his return to the Blitzbokke squad to score the winning try as Shujaa narrowly lost 17-12 in the opening fixture of the 2019/20 HSBC Dubai Sevens. 

Ryan Oosthuizen gave the South Africans the lead early in the first half but Kenya fought back and Johnstone Olindi converted Alvin Otieno's try to give Kenya a 7-5 lead. 

Vincent Onyala then scored a great try after Olindi's kick to give the 2016 Singapore Sevens winners a well deserved 12-5 lead at the break. 

Rosko Specman was on hand to bring South Africa level after the break before the last minute winner from Senatla sealed all the points for Blitzbokke. 

Paul Feeney's charges then fell 12-5 to England on Friday morning, another stumbling block to their hopes of making it into the Main Cup quarters.

The final Group game will be against Spain later in the day, who lost 36-7 to England in their first game of the tournament.

The Kenya women's team, Lionesses, started their Dubai Sevens campaign emphatically as they picked up back to back victories during the first day of proceedings. 

The Lionesses thumped Tokyo Sanku Phoenix 33-7 as Celestine Masinde, Janet Okello, Sinaida Aura, Christabel Lindo and Sheila Chajira all crossed the line.

Five hours later the ladies went up a stubborn France development side and they managed to come out on top with a 14-7 full time score to put them in prime position to qualify for the next round. 

Next up for the Lionesses is Belsevens on Friday at 12:20pm before a final fixture against Aruka Queen Kumagaya in the last of the group stage games.