Kenya Sevens star Kevin Wekesa has officially joined the new Rugby Premier League (RPL) in India, marking a major milestone in his career and a huge moment for Kenyan rugby.
The Rugby Premier League is the world’s first-ever franchise-based rugby sevens competition and is set to kick off from June 15 to June 29, 2025, at the Mumbai Football Arena.
With the full backing of World Rugby, the RPL has attracted top-tier international talent and is creating a fresh, global platform for the fast-paced sevens format.
For Kevin Wekesa, this move signals recognition at the highest level. The hard-hitting forward becomes the second Kenyan to join the RPL, after fellow Shujaa teammate Patrick Odongo, who was signed by Delhi Redz. Wekesa, meanwhile, will feature for Hyderabad Heroes under the leadership of legendary New Zealand icon DJ Forbes.
A Global League with a Local Feel
The Rugby Premier League is not just another tournament—it’s a revolution in the rugby world. Built on a franchise model similar to the IPL in cricket, the league features six city-based teams from across India:
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Mumbai Dreamers
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Delhi Redz
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Hyderabad Heroes
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Bengaluru Bravehearts
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Chennai Bulls
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Kalinga Black Tigers (Bhubaneswar)
With an exclusive 15-day window approved by World Rugby where no other major sevens competition will be played, the RPL ensures top stars can shine on Indian soil. According to Rugby India president Rahul Bose, “This league has been six years in the making, and now we’re ready to make history.”
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Kevin Wekesa: Flying Kenya’s Flag High
Wekesa’s inclusion among 30 marquee international players underlines the rising status of Kenyan sevens talent globally. He joins a roster that includes:
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Perry Baker (USA) – Two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year
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Scott Curry (New Zealand) – Six-time World Rugby Series Champion
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Terry Kennedy (Ireland) – 2022 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year
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Rosko Specman (South Africa) – Multiple Olympic and World Series medalist
Kenya’s own Patrick Odongo also features in this elite company, showing the world that Kenyan sevens is alive, thriving, and full of world-class athletes.
Wekesa’s selection is not just good news for him, but a source of pride for Kenyan fans. His performance at the Paris Olympics and strong showings on the HSBC SVNS Series have earned him this well-deserved spotlight.
Format and Purpose of the Rugby Premier League
The tournament is structured to bring out the best of sevens rugby—fast, high-scoring, and electrifying. With international coaches like Mike Friday, Tomasi Cama, Ben Gollings, and Tim Walsh at the helm of different franchises, the technical quality is already guaranteed.
The RPL also aims to raise the standard of Indian rugby by blending 30 world-class players with India’s best 30 local talents, selected through a competitive auction pool of 71 players.
GMR Sports CEO Satyam Trivedi noted, “The RPL is designed not just to entertain but to inspire. Indian players will gain valuable exposure while fans enjoy global stars in action.”
Why It Matters for Kenyan Rugby
For Kenyan rugby, the RPL presents multiple benefits:
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Global Visibility: With stars like Wekesa and Odongo on the roster, Kenya’s rugby brand is showcased to new audiences.
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Professional Opportunities: The league provides lucrative contracts and a global platform for players to grow.
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Inspiration for Youth: Seeing fellow Kenyans perform alongside Olympic medalists and world champions will inspire the next generation.
Moreover, with the changing landscape of global sevens—especially after World Rugby’s format change—such leagues could offer lifelines to countries like Kenya that have temporarily fallen out of the top-tier competition.
Star Power in Every Match
The RPL lineup reads like a who’s who of world rugby:
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Luciano Gonzalez, Santiago Mare, and Matteo Grazziano (Argentina) – 2024 Olympic bronze medalists
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Joseva Talacolo, Waisea Nacuqu, and Filipe Sauturaga (Fiji) – RWC and Olympic medalists
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Maurice Longbottom, James Turner, and Henry Hutchison (Australia) – Multi-time Olympians
Such a mix of talent ensures that every match will be a blockbuster—and Kevin Wekesa will be right in the thick of it, representing Kenya on this massive stage.
