Kenya face rivals South Africa tomorrow

BY BS MULAVI

Members of the Kenya 7s rugby team at a recent function. [PHOTO: COURTESY]

The Kenya National Sevens team will tomorrow morning (01:12am) renew their rivalry with their African neighbours South Africa in the Las Vegas leg of the International Rugby Board Sevens circuit.

This is the second day of the tournament after both sides face their group counterparts Canada and Wales on the first day. Kenya and South Africa have come to share a strengthened relationship both competitively and as partners.

South Africa is currently offering Kenya technical assistance in the fifteens version of the game and the fifteens head coach Jerome Paarwater has made it his prime mission to get Kenya into the world cup alongside South Africa.

In the Sevens version of the game, Kenya has invested in South African coach Paul Treu to help steer the team to their first major trophy in the series and a medal in the upcoming Olympics, even if it means defeating his former team in the process.

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The two teams are recognised as the best sides from Africa in the International Sevens circuit and their battle today will be watched closely by fans and pundits in what is expected to be a thriller of a match. According to IRB.com this is almost as good as it gets for South Africa coach Neil Powell. The engine room upfront is intact with Frankie Horne and Chris Dry alongside captain Kyle Brown. The oft- unsung Stephan Dippenaar is back from injury which is a real boost.

Werner Kok played a key role in Port Elizabeth and there’s more pace to burn out wide with Sampie Mastriet and the returning Seabelo Senatla. They’re likely to see the ball in space too with Branco du Preez, Justin Geduld and Cecil Afrika (three tries from 100) primed for playmaking duties. Philip Snyman is a really useful utility player and Rosko Specman must be some player to keep out Jamba Ulengo and make his debut. The defending USA Sevens champions are on a roll after their win on home soil last time out.

Kenya on the other hand have one of their strongest squads to date with the return of captain Humphrey Kayange and Oscar Ouma to the side. Mwamba winger Dennis Ombachi is back to fitness, while Strathmore youngster Billy Odhiambo has been in fine form.