Rugby: Kenya Simbas eye second Currie Cup win against Boland Cavaliers

Ali Bhika (Left) of Zambia tackles Agesa Adaka of Kenya Simbas during their Rugby Africa Cup match at the Nyayo national stadium in Nairobi on July 11, 2021. [photo courtesy]

Kenya Simbas will be seeking to register their second Currie Cup win when they take on Boland Cavaliers on Saturday at the Boland Stadium, in Wellington, Western Cape in South Africa.

Last Saturday, Simbas registered their first win at the Currie Cup First Division after seeing off Border Bulldogs 35-12 in Alice, South Africa.

 Kabras Sugar star George Nyambua is back to the starting lineup after his heel injury that kept him out for three weeks.

Brian Wahinya comes in at fly-half with Samuel Asati starting at scrum-half. The back three changes have seen Beldad Ogeta, Andrew Matoka start with Derrick Ashihundu shifting to the left-right.

“This match against Boland is exciting on a number of levels for the team as people are being given an opportunity to show that they can step up and play well at this level.”

“Patrick Ouko shifts to loosehead prop as a starter and we are fortunate that we have such a versatile front row. In the second row we have the same pairing of Thomas Okeyo and Brian Juma who were solid and powerful in the last match,” said Simbas coach Paul Odera.

“Our half-back pairing of Samuel Asati and Brian Wahinya is exciting and both are young and adventurous. Wahinya will be running the game from 10 and with Asati given the responsibility of being Vice Captain, it is an experiment we are sure will add a cutting edge to how the Simbas play.”

“Andrew Matoka at Full back is another exciting prospect and Darwin Mukidza is rested as we try and manage our senior players for the rest of the tournament and also keeping one eye on the Match vs Uganda on the 2nd of July in the World Cup qualifiers,” added Odera.

Odera said the players and team are really looking forward to the match tomorrow after building nicely with exposure and training sessions that have seen weekly progress in every match where their numbers keep getting better.

Simbas had failed to win any of their opening three matches.

The Simbas lost their opening match to Falcons 51-14 on April 9 before going down to Zimbabwe 22-21 on April 23 and Griffons 66-33 on April 30

The Simbas squad facing Boland Cavaliers: 1. Patrick Ouko, 2. Eugene Sifuna, 3. Ephraim Oduor, 4. Thomas Ongera, 5. Brian Juma, 6. George Nyambua, 7. Daniel Sikuta, 8. Bethuel Anami, 9. Samuel Asati, 10. Brian Wahinya, 11. Beldad Ogeta, 12. John Okoth, 13. Vincent Onyala, 14. Derrick Ashihundu, 15. Andrew Matoka.

Reserves: 16. Colman Were, 17. Edward Mwaura, 18. Joseph Nyagol, 19. Clinton Odhiambo, 20. Chrispine Shitundo, 21. Brian Tanga, 22. Geoffrey Ominde, 23. Peter Kilonzo