Kenya Simbas face their toughest hurdle yet when they clash with Zimbabwe Sables in a 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers semi-final match at Nelson Mandela Stadium, Kampala today from 4pm.
The fixtures doubles as the African Rugby Cup semi-final with Zimabwe the defending champions. Both teams have stuck with their quarter-final winning sides with only one change apiece.
The Simbas roared past the hosts Uganda Rugby Cranes 32-24, while the Sables crushed Morocco 43-8 in their quarter-final encounter on Tuesday.
The winner of the tournament will earn passage to the world finals in Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027
Kenya Simbas coach, Jerome Paarwater, has brought in Kabras Sugar’s Derrick Ashihundu at wing replacing Timothy Omela of Menengai Oilers in his only change. Ashihundu, who recovered from a career threatening ankle injury to earn a call up, will now link up in the backline with clubmate Griffin Chao, who claimed a brace of tries against Rugby Cranes.
The Ireland-born Benade recently joined French side Bourg-en-Bresse from Cornish Pirates in the English Championship.
Kenya skipper George Nyambua, will partner with Andycole Omolo, who was voted the best player in Kenya’s quarter-final match, at second row while Ephraim Oduor and Wilhite Mususi, stay at number one and three positions.
Bethuel Anami starts at number eight, with flanker Patrick Sabatia, earning his second test cap, and Thomas Okeyo on the blindside.
Fiji-born Jone Kubu will operate at fullback, Walter Okoth and Bryceson Adaka at centre while Samuel Asati starts again at scrum half and Barry Young at flyhalf.
Victor Mpunga, Simba Mandioma, and Cleopas Kundiona stay at front row with Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa and Simba Siraha operating at second row for Zimbabwe.
The Sables back row has Tinotenda Mavesere, Godfrey Muzanargwo, and Jason Fraser while skipper Hilton Mudariki will start at scrum half with Ian Prior the stand-off.
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa rewarded the team with $100,000 (Sh13 million) for their victory against Morocco with a presumably juicer incentive on offer if they win the semis
This will be the first time the two sides are meeting since their Currie Cup First Division duel on May 19, 2023 where the Simbas won 48-7 at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
Namibia thumped Senegal 55-17 while Algeria bundled out Cote d’Ivoire 41-6 in their semi-final encounters on Tuesday.
While Kenya held a month-long training camp in South Africa, Zimbabwe toured Unite Arab Emirates and South Korea ahead of the qualifiers.
“It’s has always been a tough outing against the Simbas,” warned Benade. “They have big athletic men and a few playmakers. So, we will need to be at our very best to compete with them.”
Paarwater acknowledged the quality of the Sables that has playing featuring in South Africa and Europe.
“They are the defending champions and we just need to be clinical in our lineouts and use our strong scrummage. I think things like penalties and drop goals could decide the duel,” said Paarwater.
