Kenyan Cup champions Kabras Sugar’s Patrick Sabatia and Collins Indeche are among four debutants called up to Jerome Paarwater’s final Simbas squad of 33.
The two, who had an outstanding season as Kabras clinched their fourth consecutive national and Enterprise Cup titles, are joined by Menengai Oilers’ Samuel Ovwamu and Vincent Mwikhali.
The team is scheduled to fly to South Africa on Wednesday for a high-performance training camp before heading to Kampala, Uganda, for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers from July 8.
Ovwamu and Mwikhali impressed as Oilers reached the Enterprise and Kenya Cup finals.
Kenya Sevens stalwarts Samuel Asati, John Okoth and Brian Tanga make the cut too, while South Africa-based David Bunduki and Thomas Okeyo will join the team in South Africa.
The final squad was named after the Simbas demolished the United Arab Emirates 54-24 in a training match at the RFUEA ground on Saturday.
“As mentioned, it was tough to trim the squad from 53 to 33. All the players showed up. We have picked what we believe is the best in the country. We are looking forward to the challenge in SA,” said Paarwater.
“We will rotate the team based on form, discipline and injuries. There are no holidays for the players who haven’t been selected. We can call them at any time. We know what they can do.”
On the upcoming Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda, which doubles up as the 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifier, Paarwater said: “We’ve been following the rest of the teams in the Rugby Africa Cup, but we’ll keep focusing on ourselves. We will play some experienced sides from Western Province, such as SWD Eagles, the Blue Bulls and Boland Cavaliers, which will help us be ready for the challenge.”
Kenya open the Kampala contest against the hosts on July 8. Whoever wins will face the winner of an encounter pitting Zimbabwe against Morocco in the final four on July 15.
The other half of the draw sees Algeria take on Cote d’Ivoire while Namibia battle Senegal.
Simbas squad:
Forwards; Ephraim Oduor, Edward Mwaura, Eugene Sifuna, Teddy Akala, George Nyambua, Patrick Sabatia, Brian Juma, Hillary Mwanjilwa, Collins Indeche (all from Kabras), Griffin Musila, Wilhite Mususi, Andy Cole Omolo, Emmanuel Silungi, Elvis Olukusi (all from KCB), Vincent Mwikhali, Ibrahim Ayoo, Elkeans Musonye (all from Oilers), Melvin Thairu (Gura Humorului Rugby Club-Romania) Obat Kuke (Blak Blad), Bethwel Anami (MLSGP 78-France), Backs; Brian Tanga, Barry Young, Griffin Chao, Walter Okoth, Derrick Ashiundu, Bryceson Adaka (all from Kabras), Samuel Asati, Brian Wahinya, Tyson Juma (KCB), John Okoth, Timothy Omela, Samson Onsomu, Samuel Ovwamu (all from Oilers), David Bunduki, Thomas Okeyo (Griffons RFC-South Africa).
