Visa hitch forces Kenya out of SA Sevens event

Nairobi - Kenya's sevens national team will not take part in an international tournament in Stellenbosch, South Africa this weekend after their travel plans hit a visa snag on Friday, officials said.

Kenya were expected to be one of three top teams, alongside hosts South Africa, to compete in the two-day tournament which acts as a build-up for the upcoming World Rugby Sevens Series, but an unexpected public holiday in Kenya on Wednesday meant the team's visas could not be finalised in time for their trip.

"And with the team all set to travel, further attempts to get flights to South Africa proved futile, prompting the Kenya Rugby Union to withdraw the side from the tournament," the federation said.

The new World Rugby Sevens Series starts in Dubai on December 1.