While the Kyabazinga 7s handed the Thunderbirds a clear path to the 2026 National 7s title, they still have to play the Coronation 7s.
The Thunderbirds officially entered the title conversation after winning the Kyadondo 7s, but their arch-rivals, the Nile Rapids, who finished 6th on that occasion, recovered to win the Lawii Rwodi 7s to go back on top of the log.
With a one-point lead, the Nile Rapids were poised to defend their Kyabazinga 7s title but finished 4th, giving the new champions, the Thunderbirds, a six-point cushion.
At the Coronation 7s this weekend, the Thunderbirds will have to contend with the Nile Rapids one more time at the Pool stage. The Thunderbirds have made it to every semifinal of the 2026 National 7s series and have only missed out on one final appearance at the Rujumba 7s. With that track record, it would take an absolute disaster for the Thunderbirds not to advance to the semifinal stage through a Pool A that has the Nile Rapids, She Wolves and Black Pearls.
In Pool B, the Walukuba Titans and Avengers will have to play for pride against newly promoted Ewes and Mbale Eagles, but they still have the rare opportunity of being party spoilers should either of them defeat the top 2 at the semifinal.
As it stands, the Thunderbirds have one hand on the 2026 National 7s title and would have to atrociously underperform while the Nile Rapids return to normal form for the overall accolade to go East.
Women’s Pools:
- Pool A: Thunderbirds, Nile Rapids, She Wolves, Black Pearls
- Pool B: Walukuba Titans, Avengers, Ewes, Mbale Eagles