Kenya Simbas explain Jone Kubu's inclusion despite missing South Africa camp
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 02.07.25. | 14:16
His return to the Kenya Simbas setup came during the 2024 Elgon Cup on Saturday, 9 November, where he scored three points in an emotional comeback match after nearly a year out due to injury
Kenya Simbas team manager Jimmy Munene has explained the decision to include experienced fullback Jone Kubu in their 28-man squad for the upcoming Rugby Africa Cup slated for Tuesday, 8 to Saturday, 19 July at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
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Despite being one of the country’s most dependable backs, his inclusion raised eyebrows as he was absent from the team's one-month training camp in South Africa.
Munene explained that the Fijian-born star had valid personal reasons for missing the camp.
“Kubu was part of the larger squad and has always been in the system. He had to take some time off and went home due to personal reasons.
For us, the player comes first. He has been training while at home, and we’ve been monitoring his progress,” he explained.
Kubu jetted into the country on Tuesday, 1 July, just in time, as the team will be departing for Uganda on Wednesday, 2 July. The Simbas, who are eyeing a strong performance in Uganda, regard Kubu as a vital piece of their puzzle.
He last featured for Kenya during the Los Angeles Promotion/Relegation Playoffs in May, helping the national sevens side, Shujaa, secure their ticket to the next tier of the global series.
Kubu made his 2025 HSBC SVNS debut during the Vancouver 7s and also played in the Hong Kong and Singapore legs, adding depth and stability to the Shujaa squad.
His return to the Kenya Simbas setup came during the 2024 Elgon Cup on Saturday, 9 November, where he scored three points in an emotional comeback match after nearly a year out due to injury.
He sustained the injury in the 2023/24 Kenya Cup opener against Kisumu RFC, a setback that sidelined him for most of the season.
Adding to his challenges, Kubu served an 11-week suspension in August 2023 after a stamping incident during the Christie 7s semifinal against Strathmore Leos. Despite the controversial moment, his contributions to Kabras RFC have been monumental.
He has been a rare gem for Kabras RFC, steering the team to its first-ever Kenya Cup victory in 2016, before recapturing the title on four other occasions, including the concluded 2024/25 Kenya Cup season.
The Fijian-born rugby player also propelled the Sugarmen to their maiden Enterprise Cup title in 2019, which they have since retained.
Kubu arrived in Kenya in 2015 as part of the Samurai team for the annual Safari Sevens and was part of a group of Fijian players signed by Kabras Sugar.
While his mates stayed for a year and left, Kubu found a new love for Kenya and felt right at home.
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