Cantona reveals key lessons learned from veteran South African predecessor at Kabras RFC

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the youngster acknowledged that replacing a player of Dukisa’s calibre is both a huge responsibility and an honour.

“He has been one of the best players the country has seen for a while, so it definitely comes as a big responsibility and an honour to be taking up this role and do just as well as he did and even better,” Cantona said.

Dukisa joined Kabras in 2019 after professional stints in South Africa, including spells with the Southern Kings and Eastern Province Elephants.

Initially arriving to help the club secure a second Kenya Cup title, he went on to become a central figure in Kabras’ dominance and later even earned eligibility to represent the Kenya national rugby union team after residency rule changes by World Rugby.

For Cantona, the biggest takeaways from playing and training alongside the veteran go beyond just technical ability.

“He's a leader on the pitch, calling plays and directing traffic, the general. His game knowledge and kicking, as well, are top-notch, so those are just some of the things that I picked up from playing and training with him.

But there's a lot to learn, and I'm glad he'll still be around to guide,” he said.

Cantona believes the most important lesson Dukisa passed down was composure under pressure.

“If there's one thing I learnt from DK is to always stay calm and composed, so no, this is not pressure but an opportunity to play for the best club in the region, get to his level and set the bar even higher for whoever comes after me,” he offered.

The rising star has already shown glimpses of that potential.

Cantona enjoyed a standout 2024/25 campaign with Kabras RFC, finishing the season with 99 points across all 15s competitions as the club lifted both the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup titles.

His debut for the Sugarmen on January 13, 2024, was particularly memorable. The youngster scored two tries and slotted eight conversions to rack up 26 points in a commanding 71-6 victory over Homeboyz.

He also proved his versatility in the sevens circuit, playing a key role in Kabras’ 2024 campaign that saw them win the Christie 7s and Dala 7s while finishing second overall in the national standings.

One of his standout performances came during the Christie 7s quarterfinal against Quins, where he scored a hat-trick of tries and conversions. He later delivered clutch moments in the semifinal against KCB, including a drop goal and two crucial try-saving tackles.

Cantona says his development since joining Kabras has been a result of consistent learning from teammates and coaches.

“I've been working for this since I came to the forest, picking up lessons from everybody around me, so I'm very confident that I'm going to have a good performance in the 15 jersey,” the confident youngster said.

The young back also praised the support system within the squad, noting that senior players and coaches have played a big role in preparing him for the challenge ahead.

“The team has been very supportive, the coaches have guided me every step of the way, the players, especially the senior players, have shown belief and trust in what I can do and have endlessly pushed me to keep getting better,” he averred.

With Kabras chasing yet another Kenya Cup title despite injuries to several key players, Cantona believes the team’s depth will be crucial.

“Squad depth without doubt is a big asset for the club as we go for the title this season. The class of talent at the club at the moment is undeniable,” he said.

“Despite the injuries and whatnot, the team is still in line for a successful season. We might be missing a few senior players, but we've all seen the younger boys like Maruti and Lukusi come to the show and dominate it as well,” he concluded.

Up next, the Sugarmen will welcome Menengai Oilers for a blockbuster clash slated for Saturday, 14 March at the ASK Kakamega Grounds.