Shujaa, Simbas set for training matches on Saturday ahead of busy schedule

The rugby 7s and 15s teams, Shujaa and Kenya Simbas respectively, are both set to take to the pitch on Saturday in training matches that are expected to gauge the teams preparedness ahead of a busy schedule that awaits on their itinerary.

After a successful outing in the shortened HSBC 2021 Series where they finished an overall third out of twelve teams, making it to the podium both in the Vancouver and Edmonton legs, Shujaa are set to participate in the Safari Sevens tournament that is making its comeback in the country next weekend on October 30th and 31st at Nyayo National Stadium.

In the 12-team tournament that includes international sides such as Spain and Germany whom they faced in the 2021 Series, Shujaa are expected to fight for the title as they prepare for the 2022 Series that kicks off on 26th November this year in Dubai.

On the other hand, 15s compatriots Simbas have a busy November that will see the Paul Odera coached side travel to South Africa to take on the best of South African rugby domestic team, Carling Champion Team, consisting of players selected by fans from any of the seven Carling Currie Cup Premier Division teams.

Simbas will play the Currie Cup select team on 6th November before meeting Namibia, Brazil, and Zimbabwe in the Stellenbosch Quadrangular Tournament from 14th November and an international friendly in Bloemfontein on 25th November against an opponent yet to be confirmed with head coach Odera looking forward to the matches.

“These tests will be crucial in helping us prepare for the qualifiers next year. Playing matches against quality opposition is valuable in high-performance environments,” Simbas head coach said.

The Stellenbosch Quadrangular will be played on a knockout basis with direct semifinals on 14th November with the placing playoff and final on 20th November.

Simbas are still in the fighting for a place in Rugby World Cup 2023 that is scheduled to take place in France. The team play Uganda in the Rugby Africa Cup 2022 that acts as a qualifying event for the World Cup. The team that wins the tournament books the ticket to the event.

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