The 2026 National Rugby Fifteens Championships have reached a knock-out stage, with semifinal lineups now officially confirmed following three days of intense and action-packed Group stage.

In the boys’ category, Upper Hill School will face Kakamega School in the first semifinal, while Kisii School are set to clash with Saint Mary’s Yala in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter and a repeat of the Nyanza Region finals.

Notably,2024 champions All Saints Embu, who showed resilience throughout the tournament, have been knocked out of title contention.

Road to the Semifinals

The championship kicked off with dramatic encounters on Day One. Saint Mary’s Yala edged out All Saints Embu 10-8 in a tense opening match, while Upper Hill School delivered a commanding 26-0 victory over Kwale High.

Menengai High made a strong statement with a 46-5 win against Mang’u School, but the biggest upset came when Kisii School stunned Kakamega School with a narrow 16-14 triumph.

Momentum carried into Day Two, where Kisii School maintained their unbeaten run with a 17-6 victory over Mang’u School.

Kakamega School bounced back in style, defeating Menengai High 34-14 to register their first win. Upper Hill School continued their dominance, securing a 17-10 win over Saint Mary’s Yala, while All Saints Embu kept their hopes alive with a dramatic 13-12 last-minute victory against Kwale High.

Day Three proved decisive in shaping the semifinal picture. Upper Hill School underlined their title credentials with a convincing 33-19 win over All Saints Embu, securing their third straight victory.

Saint Mary’s Yala booked their semifinal slot after a commanding 39-10 win against Kwale High. Kakamega School returned to form with a resounding 59-3 victory over Mang’u School, while Kisii School sealed their place in the final four with a hard-fought 6-3 win over Menengai High.

Semifinal Fixtures (Day Four – Friday, April 10):
• Upper Hill School vs Kakamega School
• Kisii School vs Saint Mary’s Yala
Girls’ Category Semifinals Confirmed
In the girls’ division, the competition has been equally fierce, with four teams advancing to the semifinals. Kinale Girls will take on Mbagathi Girls, while Mwira Girls are set to face Saint Joseph’s Kitale Girls.
Girls’ Semifinal Fixtures:
• Kinale Girls vs Mbagathi Girls
• Mwira Girls vs Saint Joseph’s Kitale Girls
With both the boys’ and girls’ semifinals now set, anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the championships. Teams will be battling not only for a place in the final but also for national pride,