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The national rugby 15’s team, Kenya Simbas,33-man squad which is set to tour South Africa for a training stint ahead of the World Cup qualifiers has been named.
The final squad was revealed after a friendly match against UAE played Saturday at RFUEA Grounds, Nairobi.
Prior to the friendly Kenya had assembled a 53 man squad that camped for two weeks in Kakamega.
Kenya 15’s head coach Jerome Paarwater said the UAE friendly offered the technical bench with an opportunity to trim the squad ahead of the South Africa training stints.
“The training match offered us an opportunity to see the work that we’ve done over the last one week in Kakamega come to life, especially for the players who haven’t been in the Simbas set up for the last two years. That is why we played the first two groups made up of majorly these players, we were glad to see a number of them raise their hands with their performances.”
“It was important for us, to see all 47 players who have been in camp, play in a game situation, which is not always possible in a training set up. We went through the game as a technical bench, it wasn’t easy, the first two sets had a lot of opportunities, but couldn’t convert them as well as the last set did, some of these things come with experience. We now have four weeks in South Africa to get the team ready for the Rugby Africa Cup.”
The 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers will also act as Africa Rugby Cup and is set to be held in Uganda in July.
“We’ve been following the rest of the teams in the Rugby Africa Cup, but we’ll keep focusing on ourselves, we will be playing some experienced sides from Western Province such as SWD Eagles etc, the Blue Bulls and Sanlam Boland Cavaliers, so by the time we are back, we will be ready for the challenge.”
The 33 man squad is a blend of seasoned Simbas players led by captain George Nyambua, as well as exciting new talents in Samuel Ovwamu and Collins Indeche.
John Okoth, Samuel Asati and Bethwel Anami return to the squad having featured in the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers in France .
‘’We have picked what we believe is the best in the country at the moment and are looking forward to the challenge in SA. We will be able to rotate the team as need be based on form, discipline and injuries, so there are no holidays for the players who haven’t been selected. We can call upon them at any time, as we know what they can do’’ Jerome remarked.
The 33 players are set to depart for South Africa this week and will be joined by South Africa’s based duo of David Bunduki and Thomas Okeyo.
SIMBA’S Squad
- Ephraim Oduor – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Edward Mwaura – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Eugene Sifuna – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Teddy Akala – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Griffin Musila – KCB RFC
- Wilhite Mususi – KCB RFC
7 . Vincent Mwikhali – Menengai Oilers RFC
- Melvin Thairu – Gura Humorului Rugby Club
- Hibrahim Ayoo – Menengai Oilers RFC
- Brian Juma – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Andycole Omolo – KCB RFC
- Emanuel Silungi – KCB RFC
- George Nyambua – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Patrick Sabatia – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Elvis Olukusi – KCB RFC
- Collins Indeche- Kabras Sugar RFC
- Bethuel Anami – MLSGP 78
- Elkeans Musonye – Menengai Oilers RFC
- Obat Kuke – Blak Blad RFC
- Samuel Asati – KCB RFC
- Samson Onsomu – Menengai Oilers RFC
- Brian Tanga – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Barry Young – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Brian Wahinya – KCB RFC
- Griffin Chao – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Beldad Ogeta – Menengai Oilers RFC
- Walter Okoth – Kabras Sugar RFC
- Samuel Ovwamu – Menengai Oilers RFC
- Bryceson Adaka – Kabras Sugar RFC
- John Okoth – Menengai Oilers RFC
- Tyson Juma – KCB RFC
- Timothy Omela – Menengai Oilers RFC
- Derrick Ashihundu – Kabras Sugar RFC
- David Bunduki – Griffons RFC
- Thomas Okeyo – Griffons RFC
- Hillary Mwanjilwa – Kabras Sugar RFC
