Jerome Paarwater names provisional Simbas squad ahead of Rugby Africa Cup

Kenya Simba head coach Jerome Paarwater has named a provisional 50-man squad as they prepare to kick off their campaign for a spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The Simbas’ journey begins with a residential camp in Kakamega, with the qualifiers set to be held in Kampala, Uganda from Sunday, 6 to Sunday, 20 July.

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Paarwater will lead the team into camp from Sunday, 11 to Sunday, 18 May, where players will undergo rigorous training and assessments.

The week-long exercise will culminate in the trimming of the squad to 33 players, who will carry Kenya’s hopes into the qualification phase.

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After a brief break, the final 33 will regroup on Monday, 26 May in Nairobi for a short pre-departure camp before embarking on a crucial high-performance tour of South Africa on Wednesday, 28 May.

The South Africa tour has been split into two major phases.

The first will run from Wednesday, 28 May to Sunday, 22 June in Cape Town, in partnership with Western Province. The Simbas will play Saturday fixtures against Currie Cup sides and participate in midweek contact sessions with club and university teams, an opportunity designed to fine-tune performance and boost competitiveness.

From there, the team will shift base to Nylstroom for the second phase from Thursday, 22 to Tuesday, 27 June. Here, they will work closely with the Blue Bulls and face off against their Currie Cup squads in matches scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday.

Upon their return to Kenya on Tuesday, 27 June, the Simbas will have a short reassembly camp on Tuesday, 1 and Wednesday, 2 July before departing for Uganda on Thursday, 3 July, just days ahead of their opening fixture.

Paarwater acknowledged that the 50-man selection had seen some major changes due to injuries but remained confident in the squad’s depth.

He expressed appreciation to Kenya Cup coaches for their collaborative role in identifying talent.

“They played a vital role in selecting players from their clubs in the past season,” he offered.

The coach also confirmed that the camp features several foreign-based players, pointing to a strategic blend of local flair and international experience.

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Forwards

Loosehead Props (Jersey 1):

Melvin Thairu – Gura Humorului Rugby Club

Edward Mwaura – Kabras Sugar RFC

Ian Njenga – Gura Humorului Rugby Club

Hookers (Jersey 2):

Eugene Sifuna – Kabras Sugar RFC

Celestine Mboi – Menengai Oilers

Teddy Akala – Kabras Sugar RFC

Griffin Musila – KCB

Tighthead Props (Jersey 3):

Wilhite Mususi – KCB

Vincent Mwikali – Menengai Oilers

Ephraim Oduor – Kabras

Desterious Ifedha – Menengai Oilers

Locks (Jerseys 4 & 5):

Hibrahim Ayoo – Menengai Oilers

Brian Juma – Kabras

Andycole Omollo – KCB

Hillary Odhiambo – Kabras

Thomas Okeyo – NovaVit Griffons

Emmanuel Silungi – KCB

Blindside Flankers (Jersey 6):

George Nyambua – Kabras RFC

Patrick Sabatia – Kabras RFC

David Bunduki – NovaVit Griffons

Kevin Wekesa – Kabras RFC

Openside Flankers (Jersey 7):

Elvis Olukusi – KCB

Charles Omondi – Nondies

Elkeans Musonye – Menengai Oilers

William Mwanji – Kabras

Number 8s (Jersey 8):

Bethuel Anami – MLSGP 78

Sheldon Kahi – Kenya Harlequin

Obat Kuke – Blak Blab

Scrum Halves (Jersey 9):

Brian Tanga – Kabras

Samson Onsomu – Menengai Cream Oilers

Samuel Asati – KCB RFC

Flyhalves (Jersey 10):

Brian Wahinya – KCB

Barry Young – Kabras Sugar

Jone Kubu – Kabras Sugar

Left Wings (Jersey 11):

Beldad Ogeta – Menengai Cream Oilers

Festus Shiasi – KCB

Griffin Chao – Kabras Sugar

Inside Centres (Jersey 12):

Walter Okoth – Kabras Sugar

Samuel Ovwamu – Menengai Oilers

John Okoth – Menengai Oilers

Paul Mutsami – Kenya Harlequin

Outside Centres (Jersey 13):

Vincent Onyala – KCB

Bryceson Adaka – Kabras Sugar

Tyson Maina – KCB

Charles Odhiambo – Nondies

Right Wings (Jersey 14):

Austine Sikutwa – KCB

Timothy Omela – Menengai Oilers

Alfred Orege – Kabras Sugar

Fullbacks (Jersey 15):

Isaac Njoroge – KCB

Eric Cantona – Kabras Sugar