Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Sasha Mutai has announced that the Kenya 15s rugby team, the Simbas, will embark on a six-week training camp in South Africa as part of their preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers. Mutai emphasized the importance of the high-performance training camp to ensure the team is fully equipped to compete at the highest level.
The Simbas’ training camp in South Africa will provide them access to world-class facilities and top-notch coaching, significantly enhancing their preparation ahead of the crucial qualifiers later this year. Mutai expressed the Union’s commitment to doing everything within their power to secure a place at the World Cup, noting the team’s proximity to qualification. He highlighted that Kenya is just three matches away from securing their spot at the global competition, and the Union will leave no stone unturned in their efforts.
“We are only three matches away from a World Cup, and we know how close this is for us. We will do everything possible as a Union to ensure that we qualify,” Mutai said. This statement reflects the determination and focus of the KRU leadership on advancing Kenyan rugby on the global stage.
The upcoming qualifiers will be fiercely competitive, with the winner of the Africa Cup securing a direct spot in the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Mutai made it clear that the Simbas aim to qualify directly and avoid having to go through the repechage process, which saw them miss out on the 2023 World Cup after finishing second in the Africa Cup and failing to secure a place through the repechage.
“We want to qualify directly for the World Cup and not go through the repechage,” Mutai reiterated, reinforcing the team’s determination to make history by qualifying for their first-ever Rugby World Cup. This aspiration is seen as a reflection of the growing strength of Kenyan rugby, with recent successes in both men’s and women’s sevens rugby boosting the sport’s profile and increasing the momentum behind the team’s efforts.
The South African camp is also expected to serve as a bonding experience for the players, allowing them to build camaraderie and ensure they are fully prepared for the rigors of international competition. By training in South Africa, a rugby powerhouse, the Simbas will have the opportunity to improve their skills and adapt to the demands of elite-level rugby, which will be critical for their World Cup aspirations.
Mutai’s strategic planning includes collaborations with various partners to ensure the success of the camp. This will include logistical arrangements and securing the necessary resources to provide the players with the best possible environment to maximize their potential. The KRU’s leadership is focused on ensuring the team’s preparation is second to none, with a clear emphasis on both physical and mental readiness.
With Kenyan rugby on an upward trajectory, the KRU is looking to capitalize on the momentum gained from the success of the sevens teams. This momentum is crucial as the men’s and women’s teams have been delivering impressive performances on the global stage, which has sparked a renewed sense of optimism within the rugby community in Kenya.
As the six-week training camp in South Africa looms closer, the Simbas’ preparations are set to intensify, and the hope of making history by qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup is within reach. The focus now is on maximizing every opportunity, ensuring the team is ready to face the challenges ahead and take Kenyan rugby to unprecedented heights on the world stage.
