Kenya Chipu out to tame Tunisia in Barthes Cup opener

Kenya U20 national rugby team; Chipu do not have to look for motivation ahead of their upcoming Barthes Cup opening match against Tunisia slated for Saturday, 19 April in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Chipu are making a grand return to Zimbabwe, having won the 2024 edition and winning a slot to represent Africa in the World Rugby Junior Trophy in Scotland.

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Under the tutelage of the watchful Simon Jawichre, Chipu conquered Africa with a convincing 28-13 victory over Zimbabwe, to bring an end to the South Africans’ two-year stranglehold on the trophy.

The 56-17 win over Tunisia in last year’s edition is still fresh in the minds of the players and coaches.

And while Tunisia will be desperate to change their fortunes after finishing 2024 without a win, Chipu are preparing to be ruthless.

Speaking ahead of the match, Jawichre who also doubles up as the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) Monks’ head coach, wants this new group to draw inspiration from the class of 2024.

Of Chipu’s 28-man squad that has travelled to Harare to defend their title, flyhalf Faran Juma is the only returning player from last year’s triumphant side.

His experience will be vital as the team looks to blend talent with composure in their campaign opener.

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“We looked into some of our highlights of the Barthés of 2024, just to get the guys’ mentality into it,” Jawichre said.

The Barthés Trophy has grown into one of the most prestigious Rugby Africa events since its inception in 2008.

Over the years, it has produced a pipeline of talent, with numerous former Barthés stars using the tournament as a launchpad to successful professional careers, both domestically and on the international stage.

A large number of players who illuminated the Barthés Trophy over the past 17 years will be representing their nations in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, each hoping to wrap up their careers on rugby’s biggest stage - the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

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Former 2022 and 2023 Barthés Trophy winners, Zimbabwe are determined to reclaim their crown from Kenya. Zimbabwe has been the tournament’s most consistent side in terms of team selection.

Zimbabwe’s 2025 Junior Sables squad received an added dose of inspiration ahead of kickoff from former Junior Sables standout Edward Sigauke—a two-time Barthés campaigner and gold medalist from the 2023 edition in Nairobi, Kenya.