Giant killers Quins slay defending champions KCB to reach Dala 7s Main Cup semi-finals

For the first time in their last eight SportPesa 7s outings, including six tournaments from last season, KCB Rugby will not feature in the Main Cup final after suffering a major upset to Kenya Harlequins, who edged them 14-12 in 2026 Dala 7s Cup quarter finals.

The result guarantees that the SportPesa National 7s Circuit will crown a new Dala 7s champion after the Bankers’ reign came to an end on Sunday morning at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.

Fresh from winning the Prinsloo 7s last weekend, KCB had arrived at the second leg of the circuit as favourites to retain the title.

However, the 2024 Sportpesa 7s overall champs showed grit, composure and clinical finishing when it mattered most to eliminate the defending champions in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

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Kenya Harlequins struck first after earning an attacking scrum just five metres from the KCB try line. Scrum-half Patrick Wainana spotted a gap in the defensive line and sold Samuel Asati a clever dummy before slicing through untouched to score the opening try. The conversion sailed through the uprights to hand Quins a deserved 7-0 lead.

Buoyed by the early breakthrough, Quins continued to pile pressure on the defending champions and thought they had crossed for a second try moments later. However, their celebrations were cut short after Wainana was ruled offside, giving KCB a lifeline.

The bankers gradually found their rhythm and responded with some trademark continuity play. After several phases stretched the Quins defence, Shisia broke through the middle before producing a perfectly timed offload to Brian Wahinya, who raced over for the equalising try. Wahinya added the extras to level matters at 7-7.

KCB finished the opening half strongly and took the lead just before the interval. Samuel Asati pierced the Quins defensive line before releasing George Ooro with a well-weighted offload. Ooro showed his pace to dive over for the try, although Wahinya was unable to convert, leaving the score at 12-7 in favour of the defending champions at the break.

With their title defence hanging in the balance, Harlequins emerged from the interval with renewed intensity and dominated both territory and possession. Their patience was eventually rewarded as Wainana once again produced a moment of brilliance.

Receiving the ball in space, the playmaker sold another superb dummy that wrong-footed Asati before cutting through the KCB defence. He then released Brian Wahinya, who crossed the whitewash to complete the move. The successful conversion restored Quins’ advantage at 14-12.

The closing stages were filled with tension as KCB threw everything forward in search of a match-winning score. The bankers camped inside the Quins half and launched wave after wave of attack, but Kenya Harlequin’s defensive line held firm.

Strong tackles, excellent organisation and composure at the breakdown denied KCB any clear scoring opportunity as Quins managed the clock expertly.

When the final whistle sounded, jubilant celebrations erupted from the Kenya Harlequin players and supporters as they sealed one of the biggest victories of the tournament.

The defeat brings KCB’s Dala 7s campaign to an abrupt end and with it their hopes of successfully defending the title they won last year. It also serves as another reminder of the competitiveness of this season’s SportPesa National 7s Circuit, where every knockout match is decided by the finest of margins.

For Kenya Harlequin, the victory is a massive statement of intent as they march into the semi-finals with momentum and renewed belief. Having knocked out the defending champions, Quins will now fancy their chances of going all the way and lifting the Dala 7s crown, ensuring that Kisumu will indeed celebrate a brand-new champion at the end of the tournament.