Tusker Simba earn another Vodacom Cup invitation
Tusker Simba’s Collins Injera (centre) charges to the touchline during Kenya’s friendly match against Western Province at the RFUEA grounds on June 7. Tusker Simba will play in the Vocadom Cup next year. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- The team will be based in Cape Town for at least eight weeks during the preliminary stage of the competition, and this could extend to 11 weeks if the team proceeds to the knock-out phase of the competition and eventually works its way to the final.
- Their next fixtures will be in April when they take on Border Bulldogs and Regent Boland Cavaliers during the Easter weekend.
- Tusker Simba won just one and lost six matches in their debut season beating Eastern Province Kings 17-10. The kenyan side fell to one of their heaviest loses going down 65-29 to DHL Western Province.
Kenya 15s rugby team will once again take part in the prestigious Vodacom Cup which will run from March 21 to May 30 next year.
The team, popularly referred to as Tusker Simba 15, will be making their second appearance at the tournament after making their debut in this year’s edition.
Tusker Simba won just one and lost six matches in their debut season beating Eastern Province Kings 17-10. The kenyan side fell to one of their heaviest loses going down 65-29 to DHL Western Province.
The team will be based in Cape Town for at least eight weeks during the preliminary stage of the competition, and this could extend to 11 weeks if the team proceeds to the knock-out phase of the competition and eventually works its way to the final.
Simba have been placed in the South section and will kick start their campaign against Eastern Province Kings on March 21 before taking on South Western Districts Eagles seven days later on March 28.
EMBARK ON TRAINING
Their next fixtures will be in April when they take on Border Bulldogs and Regent Boland Cavaliers during the Easter weekend.
Head coach Jerome Paarwater is expected to name the squad soon as the team embarks on training to prepare for the third most prestigious rugby union competition in South Africa.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chairman Mwangi Muthee said the team’s invitation showed they are rugby powerhouse in the world.
“Kenya team’s invitation shows the confidence the South Africa Rugby Union has in Kenyan rugby, the boys have shown they are worthy opponents at such a prestigious level," Muthee said on Friday.
The team is hoping to use the event with the aim of qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, having missed by a whisker to earn a place in the 2015 edition in England and Wales.
Simba lost out to Namibia during the qualifiers held in Madagascar in July.
