South African Dukisa makes Kenya Simbas cut for Currie Cup

Ntabeni Dukisa in action for Kabras Sugar.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

South African fly half Ntabeni Dukisa has been included in the Kenya Simbas 32-man squad that will be travelling to South Africa to take part in the 2023 Currie Cup First Division Challenge set to kick off on Saturday, April 1.

The two-time back-to-back Kenya Cup champion with Kabras Sugar has been instrumental for the sugar men since he arrived in the country in October 2019.

Last month, Dukisa scored nine-points as Kabras Sugar registered their first ever Kenya Cup final victory over KCB Rugby in a 19-9 win at the Kakamega Showgrounds.

Popular and known among the rugby corners with his flawless kicking and unpreceded long-range penalty conversions, Dukisa will now join his fellow club mate Jone Kubu from Fiji in the national team.

Kabras Sugar made headlines four years ago when they announced the signing of Dukisa from PRO14 side Southern Kings.

Dukisa became the first ever player to join Kenya Cup from the high-profile league that involves top rugby sides from the Northern Hemisphere.

PRO14 is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales. The league is one of the three major professional leagues in Europe (along with the English Premiership and the French Top 14).

Jeanson Musoga, Hillary Odhiambo, Ephraim Odour ,Hillary Mwanjilwa, Walter Okoth and Alfred Orege who have been in form helping Kabras Sugar Rugby Club defend the Kenya Cup title are also in the team.

Kenya Simbas Squad

Forwards:

Ephraim Odour (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club),Ian Njega (Kenya Harlequins), TJ Okidia (KCB Rugby Club), Eugene Sifuna (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club), Teddy Akala (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club), Griffins Musila (KCB Rugby Club), Emmanuel Mulla (Menengai Oilers) Wilhite Mususi (Kenya Harlequins)Ian Masheti (Strathmore Leos), Hillary Mwanjilwa (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club), Elvis Olukusi (KCB Rugby Club), George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club) Sheldon Kahi (Kenya Harlequins), Brain Ndirangu (Menengai Oilers), Reinhard Mwalati (MMUST Rugby Club), Jeanson Misoga (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club),Elkeans Musonye (Kenya Harlequins)

Backs:

Samuel Asati (KCB), Barry Robinson (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club), Brain Wahinya (KCB Rugby Club), Ntabeni Dukisa (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club), Timothy Mmasi (MMUST Rugby Club), Jacob Ojee (KCB Rugby Club), Walter Okoth (Kabras Sugar Rugby) Joel Inzuga (Mwamba Rugby Club) , Bryceson Adaka (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club), Peter Kilonzo (KCB Rugby Club), Beldad Ogeta (Menengai Oilers), Alfred Orege (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club), Matoka Matoka (USA), Darwin Mukidza (KCB Rugby Club),Jone Kubu (Kabras Sugar Rugby Club)

Kenya Simbas Currie Cup Fixtures

Simbas v Boland Kavaliers | City Park, Cape Town | 4.00pm | 1 April

Leopards v Simbas | Olen Park, Potchefstroom | 8 April

San Clemente Rhinos v Simbas | Venue TBC | 15 April

Eastern Province v Simbas | Adcock Stadium, Gqeberha | 29 April

Simbas v Border Bulldogs | City Park, Cape Town | 6 May

Windhoek Draught Welwitschias v Simbas | Hage Geingob, Windhoek | 13 May

Simbas v Zimbabwe Goshawks | RFUEA Ground, Nairobi | 20 May

Simbas v Valke | RFUEA Ground, Nairobi | 27 May

Simbas v SWD Eagles | RFUEA Ground, Nairobi | 3 June