Kenya Simbas moved within 160 minutes of a maiden appearance at the Rugby World Cup, holding off hosts Uganda 32-24 at a hostile Namboole Stadium, Kampala on Tuesday.
In what was the closest of the four 2025 Rugby Africa Cup quarter-finals, Kenya rode on a quick start and strong finish by their scrum to knock out the Rugby Cranes under pristine playing conditions in the Ugandan capital city.
The entire day went according to the script as the top four – Zimbabwe, Namibia, Algeria and Kenya – won their quarter-final duels against lesser-ranked sides to advance.
Zimbabwe walloped Morocco 43-8, Algeria erased Cote d’Ivoire 41-16 and seven-time Rugby World Cup participants Namibia obliterated Senegal 55-17.
The winner of this qualifier which doubles as the Rugby Africa Cup will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Australia while the beaten finalist will face an Asian side in the repechage for a ticket to the prestigious tournament.
Following a dull start as both teams cancelled each other out, the prowling Simbas jumped into a 21st minute lead as Edward Mwaura scored the first try. The conversion was missed.
Kenya doubled their lead in the 35th minute when Barry Young powered through to score under the posts. Barry Robinson Young added the extras for a 12-0 cushion.
The home side who finished fifth last year, one place below Kenya, struck when scrumhalf Aaron Ofoyworth caught the defence napping to cross the white line.
France-based Philip Wokorach converted to make it 12-7 at the break. Uganda had their chances but lacked the cutting edge against Coach Jerome Paarwater’s side.
A flurry of changes in the pack gave the Simbas advantage which they duly utilized, scoring two more tries in quick time.
Griffin Chao got on the try list. Then a maul went over to build a seemingly insurmountable lead that was however threatened late on as Wokorach and Uganda captain Byron Oketayot scored a try apiece to move within striking distance.
However, Kenya’s tactical superiority came through as they managed the clock and then got Fiji-born Jone Kubu Tavaga into position for a drop goal to ensure a semi-final meeting with the reigning champions.
