The Kenya Simbas have unveiled a 50-man provisional squad set to begin preparations for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifiers, which will be held in Kampala, Uganda from 6th to 20th July 2025.
Head coach Jerome Paarwater and his technical team will kick off the qualification journey with a residential training camp in Kakamega from 11th to 18th May 2025. This initial phase will see the squad undergo intense training and assessment, after which it will be trimmed down to 33 players.
The selected 33 will then regroup on 26th May for a short pre-departure camp before departing on 28th May for a high-performance tour in South Africa. This South African leg will be split into two key phases. The first phase runs from 28th May to 22nd June in Cape Town, in partnership with Western Province. During this time, the Simbas will engage in Saturday fixtures against Currie Cup sides and midweek contact sessions with local club and university teams.
The second phase will see the team move to Nylstroom from 22nd to 27th June, where they will collaborate with the Blue Bulls. This camp will include matches on Tuesday and Thursday against the Bulls’ Currie Cup squads.
The Simbas will return to Kenya on 27th June for a brief pre-departure camp scheduled for 1st and 2nd July before traveling to Uganda on 3rd July for the highly anticipated qualifiers.
Commenting on the squad selection, Head Coach Jerome Paarwater noted significant changes driven largely by player injuries. “There are some major changes in the squad which have been brought about by injuries,” Paarwater stated.
He also extended his gratitude to club coaches across the Kenya Cup, crediting their involvement in the talent identification process. “I want to deeply thank the various coaches from the Kenya Cup teams. They played a vital role in selecting players from their clubs in the past season.” Paarwater also confirmed the inclusion of several foreign-based players in the programme, underlining the team’s commitment to blending local talent with international experience.
The South African-led technical team is optimistic that the structured build-up—spanning domestic camps and high-intensity exposure abroad—will equip the Simbas for a strong showing in Kampala as they bid for a place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The 50 man squad that will be heading for camp in Kakamega is as follows:
| Playing Number | Playing Position | Player name | Club name |
| 1 | Loosehead prop | Melvin Thairu | Gura Humorului Rugby Club |
| 1 | Loosehead prop | Edward Mwaura | Kabras Sugar RFC |
| 1 | Loosehead prop | Ian Njenga | Gura Humorului Rugby Club |
| 2 | Hooker | Eugene Sifuna | Kabras Sugar RFC |
| 2 | Hooker | Celestine Mboi | Menengai Oilers |
| 2 | Hooker | Teddy Akala | Kabras Sugar RFC |
| 2 | Hooker | Griffin Musila | KCB |
| 3 | Tighthead Prop | Wilhite Mususi | KCB |
| 3 | Tighthead Prop | Vincent Mwikali | Menengai Oilers |
| 3 | Tighthead Prop | Ephraim Oduor | Kabras |
| 3 | Tighthead Prop | Desterious Ifedha | Menengai Oilers |
| 4 | Lock | Hibrahim Ayoo | Menengai Oilers |
| 4 | Lock | Brian Juma | Kabras |
| 4 | Lock | Andycole Omollo | KCB |
| 5 | Lock | Hillary Odhiambo | Kabras |
| 5 | Lock | Thomas Okeyo | NovaVit Griffons |
| 5 | Lock | Emmanuel Silungi | KCB |
| 6 | Blindside Flanker | George Nyambua | Kabras RFC |
| 6 | Blindside Flanker | Patrick Sabatia | Kabras RFC |
| 6 | Blindside Flanker | David Bunduki | NovaVit Griffons |
| 6 | Blindside Flanker | Kevin Wekesa | Kabras RFC |
| 7 | Openside Flanker | Elvis Olukusi | KCB |
| 7 | Openside Flanker | Charles Omondi | Nondies |
| 7 | Openside Flanker | Elkeans Musonye | Menengai Oilers |
| 7 | Openside Flanker | William Mwanji | Kabras |
| 8 | Number 8 | Bethuel Anami | MLSGP 78 |
| 8 | Number 8 | Sheldon Kahi | Kenya Harlequin |
| 8 | Number 8 | Obat Kuke | Blak blad |
| 9 | Scrum Half | Brian Tanga | Kabras |
| 9 | Scrum Half | Samson Onsomu | Menengai Cream Oilers |
| 9 | Scrum Half | Samuel Asati | KCB RFC |
| 10 | Flyhalf | Brian Wahinya | KCB |
| 10 | Flyhalf | Barry Young | Kabras Sugar |
| 10 | Flyhalf | Jone Kubu | Kabras Sugar |
| 11 | Left Wing | Beldad Ogeta | Menengai Cream Oilers |
| 11 | Left Wing | Festus Shiasi | KCB |
| 11 | Left Wing | Griffin Chao | Kabras Sugar |
| 12 | Inside Centre | Walter Okoth | Kabras Sugar |
| 12 | Inside Centre | Samuel Ovwamu | Menengai Oilers |
| 12 | Inside Centre | John Okoth | Menengai Oilers |
| 12 | Inside Centre | Paul Mutsami | Kenya Harlequin |
| 13 | Outside Centre | Vincent Onyala | KCB |
| 13 | Outside Centre | Bryceson Adaka | Kabras Sugar |
| 13 | Outside Centre | Tyson Maina | KCB |
| 13 | Outside Centre | Charles Odhiambo | Nondies |
| 14 | Right Wing | Austine Sikutwa | KCB |
| 14 | Right Wing | Timothy Omela | Menengai Oilers |
| 14 | Right Wing | Alfred Orege | Kabras Sugar |
| 15 | Full back | Isaac Njoroge | KCB |
| 15 | Full back | Eric Cantona | Kabras Sugar |
