Kenya Simbas wrap up South Africa camp with defeat to Limpopo Blue Bulls

Kenya Simbas concluded their one-month training camp in South Africa on a sour note, going down 42-35 to the Limpopo Blue Bulls in a high-scoring friendly played on Thursday, 26 June in Limpopo.

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The national men's rugby 15s side came into the match on the back of a morale-boosting 27-24 win over the Super Barbarians just two days earlier, but were unable to replicate that result in their final fixture.

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The match started brightly for Jerome Paarwater’s charges, with Brian Juma crossing over for an early try, which was successfully converted. But the Blue Bulls responded in kind almost immediately, capitalising on a maul to score and level the scores at 7-7.

The Simbas quickly hit back with a well-executed centre-post try, the conversion sailing through to restore their lead at 14-7.

However, Limpopo were not to be silenced, as relentless pressure in Kenya’s red zone saw them equalise again.

Kenya maintained solid possession and looked dangerous on lineouts. From one such set piece, the Simbas nearly added a third try, but a handling error halted the momentum.

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Despite a brief defensive lapse, they recovered and regained control. Derrick Ashiundu’s clever kick led to a lineout which set up a spell of crisp passing and a try from John Okoth, with Brian Wahinya converting to make it 21-14.

The Blue Bulls tested Kenya’s defense again around the half-hour mark, but the Simbas held firm. Soon after, the Kenyans turned to their lineout strength once more, this time forming a maul that allowed Elkeans Musonye to power over just before halftime.

Wahinya’s boot was again reliable, and the Simbas took a 28-21 lead into the break.

However, the second half saw a resurgence from the home side. Limpopo came out firing and, within minutes, scored a converted try to level the match at 28-28. They then added another converted try to take the lead at 35-28.

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Refusing to go down without a fight, the Simbas responded with a maul-driven try to reduce the deficit. Their attacking intent remained, but flawed decision-making around the ruck, where they frequently offloaded far from the breakdown, allowed the hosts to regroup.

Kenya managed to add one more try, but it would prove to be their last contribution on the scoreboard. Limpopo Blue Bulls sealed the win with a final converted try, closing out the match at 42-35.

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.

The Simbas are expected back in Nairobi on Friday, 27 June, as they shift their focus to the upcoming 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, scheduled for Sunday, 8 to Thursday, 19 July at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.