Currie Cup: Kenya Simbas final squad named

Kenya Simbas head to South Africa on Thursday evening for two-and-a-half months of action in the Carling Currie Cup with an eye on qualifying for 2023 Rugby World Cup in July.

Head coach Paul Odera on Wednesday unveiled a 32-man squad for the 10-team competition in which Simbas will face Leopards, Down Touch Griffons, Valke Falcons, Boland Cavaliers, Eastern Province Elephants, Border Bulldogs and South Western Districts (SWD) Eagle, as well as national teams of Zimbabwe and Georgia.

Odera, along with Kenya Rugby Union chairman Oduor Gangla, hailed the players for the sacrifice of being away from their families and jobs for 10 weeks.

“True heroes are those who make huge sacrifices like these,” said Odera.

He noted that the Currie Cup was a step in the right direction as it will provide Simbas with high quality matches ahead of the Africa World Cup qualifiers slated for July 1-10 in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, France.

“Our ultimate goal is to be in France in 2023,” he said.

Simbas team manager Jimmy Mnene said the South African competition is also a good opportunity even for sports tourism.

Gangla said Simbas have been number two for too long.

“We want to prepare adequately to ensure the team gells well and the systems are working to be ready for the qualifiers. We are grateful to the South African Rugby Union for extending the invitation for Simbas to play in the Currie Cup to the Kenya Rugby Union as well as Western Province who will host our team.”

He welcomed the government's move to exempt individuals or companies from paying tax on the money spent in sponsoring sporting activities in the country.

“The tax incentives have created more interest from sponsors in our teams which is a good thing,” noted Gangla, who is optimistic Simbas will make the country proud.

Captain Daniel Sikuta said Currie Cup is a great build-up tournament for the Simbas in readiness for the World Cup qualifiers.

“This is a good initiative. Our target is to play clean rugby. We hope that when the final whistle for the qualifiers is blown on July 10, we will be celebrating having secured a place at the World Cup,” he said.

Simbas are returning to South Africa after four months.

Currie Cup will be live on SuperSport and beamed throughout the world. Simbas will kick off their campaign against Valke in Gauteng province on April 9.

Fijian-born Kenyan Jone Kubu from Kabras Sugar and Darwin Mukidza from KCB RFC are some of key players Kenya will look up to for inspiration in South Africa.

Former World Rugby Sevens Series top try scorer Collins Injera from Mwamba and Brian Ndirangu from Menengai Oilers will join the team on May 1 and April 21 respectively to replace Oliver Mang’eni and Jacob Ojee who will be returning home.    

The squad:

Ian Njenga, Edward Mwaura, Andrew Siminyu, Coleman Were, Brian Waraba, Patrick Ouko, Ephraim Oduor, Joseph Orero, Brian Juma, Oliver Mang’eni, Thomas Okeyo, Clinton Odhiambo, Joseph Shem, George Nyambua, Bethwel Anami, Brian Amaitsa, Dan Sikuta (Captain), Elkeans Musonye (Vice-Captain), Samuel Asati, Brian Tanya, Brian Wahinya, Jone Kubu, Matoka Matoka, Timothy Omela, Beldad Ogeta, John Okoth, Vincent Onyala, Peter Kilonzo, Derrick Ashiundu, Jacob Ojee, Darwin Mukidza, Geoffrey Ominde

Carling Currie Cup Fixtures

April 7: Eastern Province vs Black Lion
April 8: Border Bulldogs vs Leopards
April 8: SWD Eagles vs Boland Kavaliers
April 9: Valke vs Simbas
April 9: Down Touch Griffons vs Zimbabwe Goshwaks

April 22: SWD Eagles vs Leopards
April 23: Simbas vs Zimbabwe Goshwaks
April 23: Valke vs Border Bulldogs
April 23: Boland Kavaliers vs Eastern Province

April 30: Leopards vs Boland Kavaliers
April 30: Downtouch Griffons vs Simbas
April 30: Valke vs Black Lions
April 30: Eastern province vs Border Bulldogs