Simbas embarrassed by Junior Boks in warm-up tie ahead of final Currie Cup clash

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RUGBY Simbas embarrassed by Junior Boks in warm-up tie ahead of final Currie Cup clash

Joel Omotto • 16:15 - 04.05.2023

Kenya 15s were hoping for some respite but were put to the swords by South Africa’s second string side

Kenya Simbas’ torrid run in South Africa was extended to a third straight match after they suffered a 42-19 loss to the Junior Boks at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport on Thursday.

It was a match that exposed Simbas soft underbelly yet again given they could not match the youngsters who looked hungrier and better prepared than them.

Junior Boks raced to a 21-12 halftime lead with Jeanson Musoga and Beldad Ogeta touching down for Kenya while Timothy Mmasi converted the latter’s try.

Kenya could only manage one more try after the break through Griffin Musila who touched down off a rolling maul before South African-born Ntabeni Dukisa converted but the Junior Boks extended their lead to claim the win.

It is the not the preparation Simbas coach Jerome Paarwater was looking for ahead of their final Currie Cup First Division clash against Boarder Bulldogs on Saturday.

Paarwater was using the match to test a number players who have not had much of a run in their trip Down South before settling on the team for Saturday’s crunch match but most of them did not cover themselves in glory.

It means the tactician has little time to correct errors that have blighted their campaign ahead of Saturday’s meeting with the highly-rated Bulldogs.

“Border is a different team and has changed a lot from last year, they have a good structure and big forwards, that’s why it’s important for us to have a kicking game,” Paarwater said on why they needed the match against the Junior Boks.

Paarwater watched his team lose their second straight Currie Cup tie following a 18-7 reverse to Eastern Province Elephants in the in Port Alfred last weekend, having started their tour of South Africa with a 32-22 defeat to San Clemente Rhinos.

Kenya arrived late for the tournament after a lack of funds saw them miss the first two fixtures against Boland Cavaliers and Leopards in Potchefstroom.