Oluoch, Olindi return to the Shujaaa squad
Homeboyz RFC utility Jeff Oluoch and KCB fly half Johnstone Olindi will make a return to the sevens national team after being called up by head coach Damian McGrath for the upcoming Hong Kong and Singapore legs of the HSBC rugby series.
Oluoch will be making his first appearance this season after passing out from the Administration Police Training College while Olindi makes it back after successfully getting a nod from the fitness coach.
Denis Abukuse and Brunson Madigu, who were part of the team on duty in North America do not travel to the upcoming assignments.
Nakuru RFC winger Nelson Oyoo will captain the side with the Mwamba RFC duo of Billy Odhiambo and Daniel Taabu making it to the travelling squad.
Kenya Cup winners Kabras Sugar duo fo Brian Tanga and Kevin Wekesa will be joined by the experienced Kenya Harlequins forward Herman Humwa and KCB RFC flanker Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno as the Damian McGrath-coached side seek to avoid relegation.
Shujaa are placed 13th in the overall standings with 29 points, one behind 12th-placed Spain with four rounds left.
The 15th-ranked core team based on accumulated Series points following the tenth round in Toulouse will be relegated.
Teams ranked 12th, 13th, and 14th following the World Series in Toulouse will compete in a four-team relegation playoff with the 2023 Challenger Series winners in Toulouse.
The Hong Kong and Singapore legs are set for late March and early April where Shujaa are in Pool D in Hong Kong alongside New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa.
Meanwhile, Kenya rugby fifteens national team, Simbas are scheduled to play nine fixtures at the 2023 Currie Cup First Division Mzansi Challenge.
According to the competition organisers, the Simbas are set to make their second appearance at the prestigious tournament.
Much-needed break
The Jerome Paarwater-coached side will kick start their campaign against the Boland Kavaliers in Cape Town on April 1 before playing the Leopards from Potchefstroom a week later.
The participating teams will take a much-needed break before heading back with Simba’s and are scheduled to tackle the San Clemente Rhinos on April 29.
Simbas will thereafter play Border Bulldogs on May 6 in Cape Town and the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias in Windhoek before capping off the campaign with three straight games.
