The 2025 Nile Special Uganda Rugby 7s Series has been such a rollercoaster. Four stops, four different champions.
The latest, from the Rujumba 7s at Kings Park this weekend, had the most unlikely of winners: Stanbic Black Pirates and Black Pearls.
Despite being defending champions of this tournament, both Pirates and Black Pearls were yet to reach the Cup Finals this season.
Black Pearls began with a 17-12 defeat to Thunderbirds in the pool phase. But they went on an unbeaten run against Nile Rapids, Panthers and Walukuba Titans on their way to the final where they met Thunderbirds again.
The Koyokoyo-coached team redeemed themselves on home turf and beat Thunderbirds by 15-10. This was a successful third successive defence of the Rujumba 7s women’s title. Avengers settled for bronze.
Past Rujumba 7s Winners (Women):
• 2022: Black Pearls
• 2023: Black Pearls
• 2024: Black Pearls
• 2025: Black Pearls
On the other hand, Pirates started with victories against Elgon Wolves and Jaguars but finished behind Walukuba Barbarians in the pool due to a seventeen-nil defeat.
The Massanganzira-coached team dusted themselves off and beat Heathens, Hippos to reach the final where Walukuba awaited.
Black Pirates started the final strong and scored two quick tries but Walukuba responded with two of their own. The eventual difference was the conversion rate as Pirates held on for a 12-10 result. This was Pirates’ third Rujumba 7s victory as Hippos clinched bronze.
Past Rujumba 7s Winners (Men):
• 2016: Heathens
• 2017: Heathens
• 2018: Buffaloes
• 2019: KOBs
• 2020 – Not Held
• 2021: Black Pirates
• 2022: KOBs
• 2023: Heathens
• 2024: Black Pirates
• 2025: Black Pirates
Because both Black Pearls and Pirates are based at Kings Park, the two women’s and men’s anchor-like trophies— crafted by player Douglas Musoke— will stay at home for another year.
