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 Kenya will host two matches of the South African Currie Cup league in Nairobi next month. 

The campaign starts June 4 when Kenya Simbas will play against South Africa’s Leopards. On June  11 Simbas will again clash with a South African side, the Eastern Province Elephants. Both matches will be played at RFUEA grounds. 

Making the announcement yesterday, KRU chairman Gangla Oduor was accompanied by the South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) tournament director Yusuf Jackson, Leopards (Chief Executive Officer) CEO Eugene Hare and Eastern Province general manager Thando Manana.  

“After consultations with Leopards and the Eastern Province unions, we have agreed to have the two matches played here in Nairobi at the RFUEA Grounds on June 4 and 11. We are very excited to see the Simbas play at home before the qualifiers. The last time the Simbas played in front of the fans was back in 2019 and the Currie Cup will be a perfect treat for the fans,” Oduor said.

Worthwhile experience

“The competitive nature is very crucial for Kenya Simbas in the final stages of their preparations for the July Rugby World Cup (RWC) qualifiers. It’s a worthwhile experience for the players despite the results. Only the defence and the areas of the set piece need perfection before we head to the qualifiers,” he added. 

Without a shirt sponsor, Simbas are still geared to prove themselves against big teams.  

Manana said, “Kenya Simbas can only grow from this competition. When we allowed Kenya and the two other teams, we did not know the excitement it would create here. Eastern Province will come on the 9th and play on the 11th of June.” 

As Simbas face their first opponent – the Leopards, Hare hopes it will in turn become an annual event.