All Systems go as South Coast Pirates host memorial George Barbour Cup

The stage is set for the much-anticipated George Barbour Cup, from Friday, October 18, to Sunday, October 20, at Seacrest Grounds in Diani, Kwale County.

Newly promoted Kenya Cup side, South Coast Pirates, will host the annual tournament in honour of their founder and legend, George Barbour, who passed away on October 3, 2018.

This year’s event promises thrilling rugby action and a fitting tribute to the man whose vision laid the foundation for the club, established in 2013.

The Pirates are using the tournament as their final pre-season preparation for their historic debut in Kenya’s top-flight league, the Kenya Cup.

They earned promotion last season following an impressive run in the KRU Championship, defeating Daystar Falcons in the semi-finals and securing the title after a victory against Impala Saracens in the final.

The George Barbour Cup, which debuted in 2018, has grown into a prestigious tournament. Mombasa RFC won the inaugural edition; Northern Suburbs took the trophy in 2021, while the Pirates asserted their dominance with back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.

This year’s tournament offers the perfect platform for the Pirates to fine-tune their strategies and assess their new signings before the Kenya Cup debut.

The Diani-based club will also unveil recruits acquired during the last transfer window, as they aim to build a competitive squad for the league season, which kicks off in mid-November.

Four teams have confirmed their participation, including Mean Machine and Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) Marines.

The tournament will kick off on Friday with the high school category, as teams vie for the coveted trophy.