Platinum Credit Heathens Begin Title Defense with Mixed Fortunes
Defending men’s champions Platinum Credit Heathens began the 2025 Nile Special Uganda Rugby Sevens Series with a runner‑up finish and a challenging second round. In the season opener – the Kabaka Coronation 7s (Aug 2–3 at Kyadondo Rugby Club) – the Heathens reached the men’s final but were edged 17–5 by Walukuba Barbarians. Flanker Julius Oyuk actually drew first blood for Platinum Credit, scoring an early unconverted try to put Heathens up 5–0, but Walukuba turned the game around with three unanswered tries in the second half. The loss handed Heathens the silver medal.
In the second leg – the Gulu 7s (Aug 9–10 at Pece Stadium, Gulu) – the Heathens struggled in pool play. They drew 5–5 with KCB Kobs and fell 12–10 to Kampala Eagles in Pool B, finishing third in the group and failing to advance to the cup quarterfinals. Thus far Heathens have collected series points but trail early leaders. Uganda Rugby Union notes that Platinum Credit Heathens were the 2024 series champions and head into 2025 as defending titleholders. Last year’s title was the club’s first since 2013, ending their long drought.
The Heathens roster features several standout players. Flanker Julius Oyuk (a Ugandan international) scored in the Coronation final, and the team’s defense remains staunch. Off the pitch, the club benefits from a major sponsorship by Platinum Credit Uganda, which in 2023 unveiled a three‑year UGX 330 million deal to support the Heathens (hence the team’s “Platinum Credit” name). This backing covers player welfare, insurance and more, reinforcing the club’s stability and ambition.
Looking ahead, the Heathens will aim to bounce back in upcoming rounds (the next stop is Rujumba 7s on Aug 23–24) as they defend their crown. The 2025 series will span seven legs across the country, and every match carries points toward the overall standings. As one rugby analyst notes, “Heathens RFC were 2024 champions and return in 2025 as defending champions,” putting a target on their backs early in the campaign.
2025 Nile Special Uganda 7s Series – Key Details
| Event (Stop) | Dates (2025) | Region / Venue | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kabaka Coronation 7s | Aug 2–3 (Central) | Kyadondo Rugby Club, Kampala | Buganda Kingdom |
| Gulu 7s | Aug 9–10 (North) | Pece War Memorial Stadium, Gulu | Gulu City Falcons |
| Rest Weekend | Aug 16–17 | – | – |
| Rujumba 7s | Aug 23–24 (Central) | King’s Park (Stanbic Pirates), Bweyogerere | Black Pirates |
| Entebbe 7s | Aug 30–31 (Central) | Works Grounds, Entebbe | Entebbe Mongers |
| Kyabazinga 7s | Sep 6–7 (East) | Walukuba Rugby Stadium, Jinja | Walukuba Barbarians |
| Rest Weekend | Sep 13–14 | – | – |
| Kabale 7s | Sep 20–21 (West) | Kabale Rugby Club, Kabale | Kigezi Silverbacks |
| Buffaloes 7s | Sep 27–28 (Central) | (Central Uganda – Buffaloes RFC) | Buffaloes RFC |
Men’s Standings After 1 Round
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walukuba Barbarians | 22 |
| 2 | Platinum Credit Heathens | 19 |
| 3 | Toyota Buffaloes | 17 |
| 4 | Rhinos RFC | 15 |
| 5 | KCB Kobs | 13 |
| 6 | Entebbe Mongers | 12 |
| 7 | Stanbic Black Pirates | 10 |
| 8 | Rams RFC | 8 |
| 9 | Kampala Eagles | 7 |
| 10 | Elgon Wolves | 5 |
| 11 | Jinja Hippos | 5 |
| 12 | Gulu City Falcons | 1 |
Women’s Standings After 1 Round
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thunderbirds | 22 |
| 2 | Walukuba Titans | 19 |
| 3 | Avengers | 17 |
| 4 | She Wolves | 15 |
| 5 | Black Pearls | 10 |
| 6 | Nile Rapids | 0 |
Note: Nile Rapids did not field a team at the Kabaka Coronation 7s; their series points are pending official review.
The Nile Special 7s Series features pool play followed by knockout rounds at each stop. Teams earn series points based on their finish at each tournament, and the overall champions are the clubs with the highest total points across all seven legs. National broadcaster NBS Sport and the AfroMobile app televise and stream the events live.
