Rugby: Kenya Simbas edge South Africa's Leopards to bag second Currie Cup win

Kenya Simbas Eugene Simiyu (left) and John Okoth is challenged by South Africa's Leopards Shirwin Cupido (right) during Currie Cup first division match at RFUEA grounds. 4 June, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya Simbas registered their second win of the Carling Currie Cup first division after defeating South Africa’s North West Leopards 51-35 at RFUEA grounds on Saturday.

Darwin Mukidza, Derrick Ashiundu, Vincent Onyala, Thomas Okeyo, Dominic Culson, Beldad Ogeta and Eugene Sifuna went over for the Simbas with Mukidza and Matoka Matoka adding the extras.

Led by captain Dan Sikuta, the Simbas, who had only won one match in their previous six matches played in South Africa were in a class of their own as they scored seven tries in the victory.

Darwin Mukidza drilled in two penalties, two conversions and a try to lead the hosts to a 25-14 first half lead with winger Derrick Ashiundu of Kabras Sugar and fly-half Dominic Culson also crossing over the white wash.

In the final half, KCB’s Vincent Onyala stretched the scores to 32-14 after landing Simba’s fourth try of the match that Mukidza converted.

The South Africans responded with a try of their own before Beldad Ogeta made it 37-21 with an unconverted try off Mukidza’s assist.

Eugene Sifuna and Thomas Okeyo came off the bench to seal the win with late tries converted by Strathmore Leos’s Matoka Matoka.

Mukidza finished with a game high 17 points in the win as head coach Paul Odera congratulated the team.

Odera impressed with win but calls for improvement defensively.

"This win has given the team massive confidence ahead of next weekend’s game. We played very well and the team has started to tick some boxes we missed previously but we need to improve defensively going to the next game," said Odera after the match.