• KCB, Blak Blad and Mwamba will form the Lions franchise and wear green and black.
•The tournament will be on a round-robin format over the first three match days at the KCB Sports Club, Nakuru Athletics Club and The Bull Ring in Kakamega.
Image: FILE
The Kenya Rugby Union has confirmed the composition of the four teams for the 2024 Rugby Super Series in May.
Speaking on Thursday, chairman of the organising committee Aggrey Chabeda said the Buffalo franchise will be based in Kakamega and features three-time Kenya Cup champions Kabras, Kisumu RFC and Catholic Monks. The team will don the blue and white.
Nakuru-based Cheetahs will feature players from Menengai Oilers, Nakuru RFC and relegated Homeboyz RFC. They will wear red and white.
KCB, Blak Blad and Mwamba will form the Lions franchise and wear green and black.
Ngong Road giants Quins and Nondies will form the Rhinos franchise alongside varsity side Strathmore Leos.
Chabeda said the Super Series will help pick the country's best 100 players, who will feature for the Simbas in various test matches later in the year.
This is geared towards qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
"The national team coaches are going to be involved in this. They will observe the country's best players over the four weeks of the tournament,” added Chabeda.
In forming the franchises, Chabeda said: "We looked at where the players are right now with their teams and the balancing of the teams to ensure we have a competitive series that resonates well with the rugby public."
The Super Series was last held in 2014 and Chabeda believes its return will help players raise their game.
“This being an elite tournament, I believe the players will raise their game as they compete against their peers. It will bring out the best in them," he added.
The tournament will be on a round-robin format over the first three match days at the KCB Sports Club, Nakuru Athletics Club and The Bull Ring in Kakamega.
The top two teams will advance to the final, while the remaining two will compete for the last two positions at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.
The tournament will be held on four Saturdays; May 4, 11, 18 and 25 with matches planned for Nairobi on the first and last weekends and in Nakuru and Kakamega in between.
The Super Series will have a women's edition for the first time, featuring the Eagles and Jaguars.