Rugby moments of the weekend

Rugby fans were treated to an action-packed weekend with several matches in the country and outside the borders. South African fans laughed last after a tense Rugby World Cup final that saw them retain the title for the fourth time.

South Africa retain RWC title

The South African rugby team, the Springboks, won their fourth-record RWC title after beating the All Blacks 12-11 in the brutally physical affair played on Saturday night.

The match was trailing 12-6 at halftime, and the All Blacks added more points through fly half Richie Mo’unga. The close margin saw the Africans defend tooth and nail to make the match arguably the biggest in the 150 years of international rugby history.

KCB Rugby win 10th record Floodies title

KCB Rugby ended the weekend on a high with a narrow 25-23 victory over resilient Nondies in the final played at the Impala Grounds on Saturday night.

The match went up to the 104th minute, with Nondies fighting hard to dethrone the hungry lions.

The winners managed a converted try and six penalty kicks off the boots of Darwin Mukidza. Peter Kilonzo scored their sole try.

Nondies RFC, on the other hand, managed two converted tries through Nyaenya Moseti and Charles Odhiambo. Calvin Sheunda drilled in the penalties.

Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad also staged a last-minute comeback to defeat the Menengai Oilers 14-11 in the Impala Floodlights third-place playoff that served as the curtain-raiser for the finals.

Beatrice Chebet reigns supreme in Cross Atapuerca in Spain

Lionesses claim their maiden WXV3 win

The Kenya Ladies 15s national team, Lionesses, claimed their first win of the WXV3 tournament that concluded in Dubai, UAE, by recording a 21-5 win over Colombia in the match played on Friday night.

The fierce ladies were coming off a 32-0 loss to Spain and another 18-12 loss to Kazakhstan. The win saw them retain their status at the WXV tournament.

Ann Goretti wins player of the match award in WXV3

Kenya Lionesses’ fly half Ann Goretti was named the player of the match in their 21-5 win over Colombia on Friday, 27. Goretti stunned fans, scoring two drop kicks to earn Lionesses six out of the 21 points scored.

Kenya Simbas squad for Victoria, Elgon Cups named

Kenya Simbas assistant coaches Carlos Kyatwa and Curtis Aluoch named the squad that will be in action in the upcoming Victoria Cup set to kick off on Wednesday, November 1, in Kampala, Uganda. Four debutants—Peter Waitere, Dan Angwech, Emmanuel Otieno, and Paul Mutsami—are in the traveling party.

Their first match is against Zambia at the Kyadondo Stadium on November 1, followed by a rivalry pitting them against Uganda, which also serves as the first leg of the Elgon Cup.

Following that, the Simbas will return to the country for the Elgon Cup return leg penciled for November 11, 2023, in Kisumu.

Dominant Equity silence Vijana Queens in Zone Five opener

Lake Victoria 15s preseason tournament enters the quarterfinal stage

Kabras RFC, Sigalagala, and MMUST have earned their spots in the semifinals of the Lake Victoria 15s preseason tournament played in different venues in Kakamega.

The Sugarmen powered 60 past Shamberere (61-0), while Sigalagala defeated Mbale RFC 47-12. MMUST Rugby saw off Kibabii 45-3, and Kenya Cup side Kisumu RFC registered 24-0 over Bungoma RFC.

The semifinals are set for November 4, while the finals are slated for November 11.

Impala ladies win 40th Impala Floodlights

Impala ladies narrowly edged Mwamba RFC 11-7 to be crowned the winners of the 40th edition of Impala Floodlights. The champions who were enjoying home advantage were under the guidance of coach Mary Otieno, who was a hard-tackling backrower during her heydays as a Kenya Lionesses international.

Meanwhile, JKUAT defeated United States International University 30-20 to claim the varsity title.

Kenyan referee Kioko makes his international officiating debut

Kenyan referee Duncan ‘Duncoh’ Kioko made his maiden international assignment on Saturday, October 28. Duncoh officiated the Victoria Cup match between Uganda and Zambia that was played at the King’s Park Arena in Bweyogerere, Uganda.

Stars Abroad: Omurwa features in win as Anyembe misses out again