Simbas Step Up: Kenya’s Rugby Lions Roar into South Africa for World Cup Qualifier Prep

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – June 4, 2025
Kenya’s national men’s 15s rugby team, the Simbas, have kicked off a high-stakes tour of South Africa as they ramp up preparations for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers set to take place in Uganda this July. The tour features a string of challenging fixtures against some of South Africa’s most competitive provincial sides—crucial tests designed to toughen the team ahead of their biggest campaign yet.

Testing Mettle Against Top Opposition

Led by Head Coach Jerome Paarwater, the Simbas are squaring off against heavy-hitting squads such as the SWD Eagles, Boland, and the Limpopo Blue Bulls. The tour opened with a spirited clash against a South Africa Under-20 developmental side, offering the Kenyans an early taste of the pace and physicality they must master if they are to triumph on the continental stage.

“We’re not here for friendly run-outs,” Coach Paarwater said. “Every match is a stepping stone. We’re focused on sharpening our systems, building chemistry, and pushing the limits of our endurance.”

Fine-Tuning for Uganda Showdown

The Simbas are eyeing the Uganda qualifiers with fierce determination, aware that a slot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup hangs in the balance. Paarwater and his technical bench are using this tour to refine tactical structures, elevate match fitness, and solidify team cohesion—the critical ingredients needed to punch above their weight in an increasingly competitive African rugby landscape.

The South African tour also presents an opportunity for newer squad members to prove their mettle under pressure, while seasoned players anchor the side’s evolving identity.

Building a Winning Mentality

With each game, the Simbas aim to not just compete—but command respect. The team’s time in South Africa is as much about mental preparation as physical readiness, building the kind of resilience required to win crucial matches on foreign soil.

“We’re instilling a winning mindset,” Paarwater noted. “If we can hold our own against these top-tier sides, we’ll be more than ready when the whistle blows in Kampala.”

Next Stop: Kampala
With the Rugby Africa qualifiers looming, the Simbas are banking on this intensive tour to forge a battle-ready squad hungry for World Cup glory. For Kenya, it’s more than just a game—it’s a shot at making history on rugby’s biggest stage.