It will be a mathematical three-horse race between the Stanbic Black Pirates, the Platinum Credit Heathens, and Kobs as the Nile Special Rugby 7s come to an end this weekend September 2-3,2023 in Bugembe Stadium with the Kyabazinga 7s. 

The Black Pirates on top of the log with 112 points need to qualify for the semifinals of the Kyabazinga circuit to win the title to be declared the 2023 Nile Special 7s Champions. 

However, the Platinum Heathens (101poits) in the second position could be crowned champions if they win the circuit but the Black Pirates do not make it to the semifinals.

Kobs in the third position with 99 points will come into the picture when they win the Kyabazinga circuit, but the other two fail to make it to the quarter and final respectively. 

That is what makes the final circuit Saturday and Sunday a bruising and crunchy tournament. 

The final leg of the seven Nile Special 7s circuits gets underway with the Black Pirates with 112 points enjoying an 11-point lead against rivals Heathens (101) who also target this year’s title. 

The Bweyogerere side in the previous circuits beat Kobs 19-7 to win the Stone City 7s and also beat Hippos 24-0 to win the Kitgum 7s, but later depleted to lose the semifinal to Kobs in their own Rujumba at the Kings Park Arena. 

They continued to falter in Fortportal (Tooro 7s) which was the fourth circuit when they lost the quarterfinal to Kobs, who later beat Plascon Mongers 28-0 to win the Tooro circuit. 

Heathens went on to win the fifth circuit which was the Kyadondo 7s to make a comeback in the title contest after beating Pirates 19-12 in the final. However, both sides again faltered in the Tororo 7s which was won by Walukuba after beating Pirate 17-12. 

That is what makes the Kyabazinga circuit tougher and it is against that, that Pirates’ coach Marvin Odongo has cautioned his charges against complacency. 

“It’s a good place for us to be. However, we are far from our target and this last circuit gives us a chance to achieve it. So, the plan is to get the maximum points available at the tournament,” Odongo told Saturday Vision. 

“I think we got a little complacent in the final against Walukuba, (Mileke7s) and they punished us for it. We will ensure that we get rid of the complacency that cropped up in the previous final, and God willing, that’ll get us back to winning ways,” Odongo added.

Pirates in pool B take on Kyambogo in the opening game, before taking Elgon Wolves and then climax the group stages against Toyota Buffaloes.

Heathens face Njeru Hurricanes in their opening fixture of Pool C, then take on Warriors and finalise the group stages against Stubborn Mongers.

Sebuliba, Bulima Ocen battle for Top Scorer award 

Meanwhile, the battle for the Golden Boot has got stiffer with three players contesting for it.

Ivan Bulima of Walukuba tops the log with 31 points, three ahead of heathen’s Lawrence Sebuliba (28) while Arnold Ocen (Rhinos) has 27 points.

Each of the trio has got the opportunity to win the Golden Boot depending on how lethal he will be on the two-day circuit today and tomorrow.

Women

The same in the women category as the title is between Black Pearls and the Avengers. 

The Black Pearls (124) lead the log with a six-point margin against the Avengers (118).

Emilly who scored a record 13 tries in three games during the Tororo-Border Circuit 7s will lead the Bweyogerere women to retain the 7s title.

Top three on the log

Pirates 112 points

Heathens 101

Kobs 99

Relegation zone

Rams 42

Warriors 30

Top try Scorers

Ivan Bulima (Walukuba) 31

Lawrence Sebuliba (Heathens) 28

Arnold Ocen (Rhinos) 27