Kenya Simbas Unveil Squad for Rugby World Cup Qualifiers

The Kenya Simbas have officially named their 28-man squad for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers, set to kick off in Uganda on July 8.

Head coach Jerome Paarwater leads the charge, banking on the momentum gained from a successful high-performance training camp in South Africa.

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The Simbas recently wrapped up an intensive month-long training tour in South Africa, where they played nine competitive matches against a range of opponents.

The trip, according to Paarwater, was instrumental in preparing the team both physically and mentally.

“The guys are looking well-prepared and ready for the tournament in Uganda,” said Paarwater as per the Kenya Rugby Union website.

“We’re fortunate to have no serious injuries within the team. There have been a lot of lessons learned in South Africa, and the players bonded well, which improves teamwork both on and off the field.”

The South African stint also served as an opportunity to assess new talent and fine-tune squad chemistry ahead of the crucial knockout fixtures.

Four new players, Vincent Mwikhali, Patrick Sabatia, David Bunduki, and Samuel Ovwamu, have earned their call-ups to the national team after standout performances in South Africa.

Their inclusion brings a breath of fresh air to the squad and reflects the team’s commitment to rewarding merit and performance.

Veteran names such as Thomas Okeyo, Samuel Asati, Jone Kubu, and John Okoth return to the fold, providing much-needed experience and leadership as Kenya eyes a return to the Rugby World Cup.

“We are confident in the selected squad and believe we have chosen the best team available,” said Team Manager Jimmy Mnene.

“The four new players will bring a fresh dynamic to the setup.”

Kenya will kick off their qualification campaign on Tuesday, July 8, against arch-rivals Uganda at the Mandela National Stadium.

The high-stakes fixture will determine who advances to the next round, where they will meet the winner between Zimbabwe and Morocco on July 13.