The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU has named a 33 man squad that will make it's way to South Africa for a month long tour and training camp as preparations intensify ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers to be held in Uganda.
Christened the 'Simbas', the Kenyans will be looking to qualify for their first ever 15-a-side World Cup this year in Australia, but will have to take on Africa's best in the qualifiers to be held in Uganda this July.
The Rugby Africa Men's Cup 2025 champions will qualify directly for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
The runner-up will progress to the Asia/Africa Play-off.
Nations involved are Algeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Morocco. World Champions South Africa have already qualified for the World Cup.
The Simbas played a training match against UAE Rugby on Saturday 24th May 2025 at the RFUEA Grounds beating their hosts 54-24, to conclude the local program which saw the team train in Kakamega for one week from the 12th to the 18th of May, leading to the training match.
Speaking on the training match and the selection process, Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater is upbeat and feels that there is more than enough in their tank to earn World Cup qualification.
"The training match offered us an opportunity to see the work that we’ve done over the last one week in Kakamega come to life, especially for the players who haven’t been in the Simbas set up for the last two years. That is why we played the first two groups made up of majorly these players, we were glad to see a number of them raise their hands with their performances," he said.
On the upcoming Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda, which doubles up as the 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifier, Paarwateer said; "We’ve been following the rest of the teams in the Rugby Africa Cup, but we’ll keep focusing on ourselves, we will be playing some experienced sides from Western Province such as SWD Eagles etc, the Blue Bulls and Sanlam Boland Cavaliers, so by the time we are back, we will be ready for the challenge."
The 33-man squad is a mix of seasoned players led by captain George Nyambua, who has led his dominant Kabras side to yet another unbeaten season in both the Kenya Cup as well as Enterprise Cup in 2025.
The squad is understandably dominated by Kabras players, with 15 of the 33 making the cut.
Also on the team are exciting new talents in Samuel Ovwamu and Collins Indeche. John Okoth, Samuel Asati and Bethwel Anami return to the squad having featured in the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers in France, with Asati recently on Kenya Sevens duty.
The squad will depart for South Africa later in the week, where they will be joined by the South African-based duo of David Bunduki and Thomas Okeyo.
They will take part in a number of friendly matches as part of their preparations. The team is managed by South African duo Paarwateer and assistant coach Carlos Qondani, who is also the Kabras RFC Head coach.
Radio Generation Sport will offer full coverage of the Simbas tour in South Africa as we gear up for the Rugby Afrique 2025 to be held in Kampala, Uganda in July.
The Simbas Squad to South Africa
1. Ephraim Oduor – Kabras Sugar RFC 2. Edward Mwaura – Kabras Sugar RFC 3. Eugene Sifuna – Kabras Sugar RFC 4. Teddy Akala – Kabras Sugar RFC 5. Griffin Musila – KCB RFC 6. Wilhite Mususi – KCB RFC 7 . Vincent Mwikhali – Menengai Oilers RFC 8. Melvin Thairu – Gura Humorului Rugby Club 9. Hibrahim Ayoo – Menengai Oilers RFC 10. Brian Juma – Kabras Sugar RFC 11. Andycole Omolo – KCB RFC 12. Emanuel Silungi – KCB RFC 13. George Nyambua – Kabras Sugar RFC 14. Patrick Sabatia – Kabras Sugar RFC 15. Elvis Olukusi – KCB RFC 16. Collins Indeche- Kabras Sugar RFC 17. Bethuel Anami – MLSGP 78 18. Elkeans Musonye – Menengai Oilers RFC 19. Obat Kuke – Blak Blad RFC 20. Samuel Asati – KCB RFC 21. Samson Onsomu – Menengai Oilers RFC 22. Brian Tanga – Kabras Sugar RFC 23. Barry Young – Kabras Sugar RFC 24. Brian Wahinya – KCB RFC 25. Griffin Chao -Kabras Sugar RFC 26. 26. Beldad Ogeta – Menengai Oilers RFC 27. Walter Okoth – Kabras Sugar RFC 28. Samuel Ovwamu – Menengai Oilers RFC 29. Bryceson Adaka – Kabras Sugar RFC 30. John Okoth – Menengai Oilers RFC 31. Tyson Juma – KCB RFC 32. Timothy Omela – Menengai Oilers RFC 33. Derrick Ashihundu – Kabras Sugar RFC 34. David Bunduki – Griffons RFC 35. Thomas Okeyo – Griffons RFC 36. Hillary Mwanjilwa – Kabras Sugar RFC