Simbas overpower South Africa's Elephants in Currie Cup encounter

Simbas' Teddy Akala (left) push for his way out during the final Currie cup fixture against Eastern Province Elephants at RFUEA Grounds. June 11, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Vincent Onyala scored two tries to inspire Simbas to a thrilling second half 41-34 comeback win over South Africa’s Eastern Province Elephants at RFUEA Grounds yesterday to end the Carling Currie Cup First Division on a winning note.

The Simbas trailed 24-13 at the break before a 28-0 second half performance saw Paul Odera’s charges register their third Currie Cup win.

Speaking after the win, Simbas captain George Nyambua said they picked a lot of lessons and are now ready for the upcoming Rugby World Cup qualifiers set to be played in France next month.

“We started the game poorly after trailing 17-0 but we did not give up. Part of the South African trainings involved mental strength of players and we are glad to be have gone through that because we were able to react positively and win the match,” said Nyambua.

“It has been a very fruitful journey for us for the past two months and now I believe we can perform better ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.”

The game started on a high note with the South African outfit going on the offensive for three quick tries (converted one) which were scored in the opening 15 minutes as Kenya trailed 17-0.

With fans almost giving up, Collins Injera announced his arrival after setting up KCB’s Onyala for the opening unconverted try before Dominic Coulson penalty reduced the scored to 17-8.

Malcom Onsando would touch down for Simbas second try of the match off a driving mole as Kenya cut the gap to 17-13.

The Elephants would however have the last laugh of the half after drilling in their fourth try of the match for a 24-13 lead at the break.

In the final half, Kenya came back more strongly and dictated the game as Injera who was returning to the national 15s side for the first time since 2018 fended off his markers to score a try that was converted by Darwin Mukidza to narrow the scores to 24-20.

Simbas led for the first time moments later after winger Jacob Ojee fed a charging Mukidza on the right wing with the full back leaving the Elephants defense in his wake for a touchdown which he converted for a 27-24 lead.

A penalty try pushed Simbas lead to 34-24 before Onyala capped off his spectacular performance with a late try for a 41-34 win.

Kenya will now head to Marseille for 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers scheduled for July in France in with the quarterfinal set to be against Uganda.