Analysis: Inside Simbas exciting roster for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup

The Kenya Simbas’ 28-man squad for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda is a fascinating blend of club dominance, returning heroes, rising stars, and strategic inclusions that reflect both form and future planning.

Kabras Sugar RFC’s grip on the squad is mainly attributed to its dominance in both the Kenya Cups and 7s circuit competitions, having contributed 13 players, nearly half the team.

Their Kenya Cup-winning campaign clearly influenced selection, with key forwards like Ephraim Oduor, Edward Mwaura, and Player of the Final Patrick Sabatia earning well-deserved spots. Sabatia’s consistency and leadership in the back row make him a cornerstone in this squad.

The Kabras backline is equally stacked, including names like Walter Okoth, Barry Young, and try-machine Griffin Chao, who scored 17 tries this season.

Menengai Oilers, the Cup finalists, follow with six selections. Standout names include lock Ibrahim Ayoo, versatile back Timothy Omela, and comeback story John Okoth, who returns from injury after missing much of the HSBC Sevens series with Shujaa. 

Vincent Mwikhali, meanwhile, is one of the most inspiring additions, earning a national call-up after a solid season in the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup with the Oilers.

KCB RFC, who had a poor run of form in the just-concluded 15s season, supply only five players. Notables include scrum-half Brian Wahinya and Wilhite Mususi, whose experience adds balance.

However, the absence of power forward Elvis Olukusi, once a key figure, reflects recent inconsistency in form despite him travelling with the provisional squad to camp.

Obat Kuke of Blak Blad stands alone as the only player from outside the top three clubs, highlighting the uphill battle for players from lower-ranked teams.

His inclusion is a major nod to performance over pedigree, with his dynamic play for Blak Blad earning deserved recognition.

Three foreign-based players, David Bunduki (NovaVit Griffons), Thomas Okeyo, and Bethuel Anami (MLSGP 78), bring international experience.

Their inclusion signals a desire for versatility and impact off the bench in high-stakes encounters.

The squad also brings back Kenya Sevens talents, with Samuel Asati, Brian Tanga, and Jone Kubu, who is expected to jet back to the country from South Africa, adding speed, flair, and breakdown intelligence.

Omissions like Samson Onsomu, despite his solid form, show the competition for spots is intense, especially in positions like scrum-half.

Similarly, Beldad Ogeta, who led Menengai Oilers to four finals, will feel unlucky to miss out on the Kenya Simbas squad.

The 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, set for July 8–19 in Kampala, Uganda, doubles as the continent’s sole qualifying pathway to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Defending champions Zimbabwe Sables open the quarterfinals against Morocco, followed by Algeria vs. Ivory Coast and Namibia vs. Senegal.

The headline clash of the day will see archrivals Kenya Simbas face hosts Uganda Rugby Cranes in a high-stakes East African derby.

Winners from these fixtures advance to the semifinals on July 13, with the final slated for July 19, the victor earning Africa’s direct ticket to Australia 2027.

In the previous qualifier edition held in France, Kenya fell to Namibia in the semifinals and later missed qualification at the repechage tournament in Dubai.

This time, fans and stakeholders remain optimistic the Simbas can seize the moment and secure direct qualification.