Four debutants in as Paarwater names Simbas squad for Rugby Africa Cup

Kenya 15s national team, Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater, has unveiled his 28-man squad for the upcoming Rugby Africa Cup scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 8 to Saturday, 19 July at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

The team, fresh from a one-month camp in South Africa, has four debutants.

Kabras RFC's Patrick Sabatia, Menengai Oilers' midfielder Samuel Ovwamu, David Bunduki, who plays for Griffons in South Africa, and Vincent Mwikali of Oilers are the new faces in the team.

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Besides the four new players, the squad has a mix of seasoned campaigners and rising stars across all departments.

The props named in the team are; Ephraim Oduor, Edward Mwaura, Wilhite Mususi, and Mwikali while Teddy Akala and Eugine Sifuna are the hookers.

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The locks include: Hibrhaim Ayoo, Thomas Okeyo, Andycole Omollo, and Emmanuel Slungi.

George Nyambua, Patrick Sabatia, David Bunduki, Obat Kuke, Bethuel Anami, and Elkeans Musonye are the back-row options

In the backs, Samuel Asati and Brian Tanga will handle scrumhalf duties, with Barry Young and Brian Wahinya covering the flyhalf positions.

Griffin Chao and Timothy Omela will operate from the wing, with the centre slots being contested by Walter Okoth, Samuel Ovwamu, Bryceson Adaka, and John Okoth.

Jone Kubu and Derick Ashiundu have been named as the fullbacks.

The Simbas registered mixed results during their camp in South Africa.

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They ended the camp with a 42-35 loss to the Limpopo Blue Bulls.

The defeat brought down the curtain on a tough South African tour for the Simbas, whose results included a 17-17 draw with SWD Eagles (June 3), two losses to South Africa U20 (42-24 and 75-19), a test against Sanlam Boland, and their sole win against the Barbarians.

They will jet out of the country on Wednesday, 2 July.