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Win over South Africans enable Simbas climb up two places

Monday, June 6th, 2022 22:30 | By
Kenya Simbas backrower Steve Sikuta under a trio tackle by Senegalese defenders during their Rugby Africa cup opener match in July last year. PHOTO/Alex Njue

Kenya Simbas have climbed one spot in the 10-team standings and now sit eighth while the Leopards of South Africa dropped two places and are now placed seventh after their title defence was bruised at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) grounds at the weekend.

After the resounding 51-34 win, Simbas tactician Paul Odera has praised his squad’s resilience in the match that acted as the second last tune-up match ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifiers to be staged in France.

“We are now in the final stages of our preparations for the France 2023 Rugby World Cup qualification as we have just one more Currie Cup fixture to go before we shift focus to the qualifiers that will act as a test run for the World Cup next year,” Odera said.

He added: “The boys stood firm against the defending champions and now we can build momentum from that match and go forward as we wait to wrap up what an amazing first Currie Cup campaign.”

The was Simbas’ second so far after eight rounds earned the home side a crucial fifth bonus point to deny Zimbabwe Goshawks a possible 12 points stalemate, instead the continental rivals dropped to ninth place.

Zimbabwe is in the Currie Cup just like the Simbas, to prepare for next month’s qualifiers.

The Goshawks were handed a 35-5 thrashing by the Elephants who are still perched second on the log with 31 points, 13 below the unbeaten Griffons. Zimbabwe Goshawks gave up their seat due to lack of a bonus point from their eight fixtures despite three wins in total.

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