The Kenya Simbas management has announced the final 33-man squad that will be heading to South Africa for the one-month high-performance training, ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers in Uganda.
The Simbas played a training match against UAE Rugby on Saturday 24th May 2025 at the RFUEA Grounds, 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.
The friendly which was played in three 30-minutes blocks, provided the technical bench with a final opportunity to trim the group of 53 to 33 who will be heading to South Africa. Speaking on the training match and the selection process, Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater said;
“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.”
“It was important for us, to see all 47 players who have been in camp, play in a game situation, which is not always possible in a training set up. We went through the game as a technical bench, it wasn’t easy, the first two sets had a lot of opportunities, but couldn’t convert them as well as the last set did, some of these things come with experience. We now have four weeks in South Africa to get the team ready for the Rugby Africa Cup.”
On the upcoming Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda, which doubles up as the 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifier, Jerome 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 blend of seasoned Simbas players led by captain George Nyambua, as well as 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 .
Speaking of the selection, Jerome added; “As mentioned it was a tough selection for us to trim the squad from 53 to 33, as all the players really showed up, we have picked what we believe is the best in the country at the moment and are looking forward to the challenge in SA. We will be able to rotate the team as need be based on form, discipline and injuries, so there are no holidays for the players who haven’t been selected. We can call upon them at any time, as we know what they can do.”
The 33 will depart for South Africa later in the week, where they will be joined by South African based duo of David Bunduki and Thomas Okeyo during the last leg in Limpopo courtesy of the Blue Bulls as well Hillary Mwanjilwa who is working on his return to play protocol following a long injury lay off after last year’s International duty.
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. 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
