Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

The top guns in the local rugby scene, Kabras Sugar and KCB, will headline this weekend’s six fixtures lined up across the country.

The rivalry between the two teams will be witnessed at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka with the Bankers topping the table with 45 points, having registered nine bonus points, and having won all nine duels.

On the other hand, defending champions Kabras Sugar are second on the log with 44 points, also having won all nine matches but having collected one less bonus point.

Both teams have a history of memorable clashes but a win for the Curtis Olago-coached side will be a sweet comeback to the top of local rugby after the Sugarmen were crowned the 2022 champions.

The last meeting between the two sides took place at the same venue 51 weeks ago, with KCB winning that clash 28-20 on 26 February 2022. Kabras would, despite the loss, proceed to win the 2021/22 Kenya Cup title.

In a mouth-watering Kenya cup final back in 2022 Kabras Sugar rallied from behind 18-8 at the break to beat Menengai Oilers 34-28 in a nerve-racking final at the Bullring, Kakamega.

However, this season, KCB has showcased their intent to reclaim their past glory with a 62-15 sweet revenge over Nakuru-based Menengai Oilers in Nakuru.

Kabras Sugar on the other hand warmed up for the KCB duel with a 47-6 home victory over Strathmore Leos in Kakamega.

Avoid relegation

In other fixtures across the country, Strathmore Leos will play host to another Varsity side University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine with both teams trying to avoid relegation with a win this weekend.

Machine are currently placed 10th on the log with 14 points, one ahead of Strathmore (13) and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) who currently occupy the bottom of the log with eight points.

MMUST will travel to Nairobi to face Kenyatta University’s (KU) Blak Blad at the KU grounds with Blad hopeful of a playoff spot if Kenya Harlequins falter against Mwamba RFC.

The battle to avoid relegation to the championship next season also features sixth-placed Nakuru RFC who are on 18 points with Homeboyz and Mwamba placed seventh on 15 points apiece.

Catholic Monks are ninth with 14 points and will travel to Nakuru to face third-placed Menengai Oilers, with the home team seeking a playoff spot with only one game left to the conclusion of the regular season.

In a mid-table clash, fourth-placed Kenya Harlequins will be all out to try and cement their playoff spot against Mwamba RFC at the RFUEA grounds with the Paul Murunga-coached side accumulating 28 points after nine rounds.

Once the season comes to an end the bottom two teams get relegated to the championship next season.

The top two teams at the close of the Kenya cup will earn the automatic right to host their respective semifinal playoffs against the teams ranked third and fourth teams.

Also, the winner of the semifinal play-offs will then get to battle it out for the coveted Kenya cup title with the highest-ranked team earning the right to host the title decider.