Shujaa lose Africa 7s title as Simbas lose second match in South Africa

• Shujaa lost to Uganda in the semis, but finished third
• Despite the loss, Shujaa still qualified for the Rugby World Cup
• The Kenya Simbas lost their second game in the Currie Cup

It was a bad weekend for Kenyan rugby over the weekend, with the national sevens team Shujaa relinquishing their Africa 7s title while the 15s team Simbas lost their second match to Zimbabwe’s Goshawks in the Currie Cup in South Africa.

Despite the losses, the only silver linings were the fact that Shujaa still managed to secure qualification to the Rugby 7s World Cup while the Simbas put up an improved performance to lose by a single point.

-Simbas lose second game-

In Western Cape, South Africa, Simbas were looking for an improved performance after a 10-day break against the Goshawks. They trailed 17-10 at halftime, their points coming from Jone Kubu’s penalty and Derrick Ashiundu’s try that was converted by Kubu.

The Goshawks would score an unconverted try, their sole points of the second half as the Simbas slowly edged back, a Kubu penalty bring the score to 22-16 before scoring an unconverted try off a rolling maul, the scores 22-21 with precious little left on the clock.

Simbas kept possession of the ball as they slowly made their way to the Goshawks try line but were penalized for holding on to the ball in the ruck in the last play, the match ending 22-21 in favor of the Goshawks.

The Simbas are in South Africa for one and a half month for the Currie Cup, which they are using to prepare for the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers to be staged in June and July in France.

Meanwhile in Kampala, Shujaa’s hope of retaining their title were thwarted after losing to eventual champions Uganda in the semi-finals.

-Clinch bronze-

They eventually beat Zambia 19-12 n the play-off to finish third and secure their sixth qualification to the World Cup, set to be staged in South Africa in September.

Debutant Amon Wamalwa landed a brace of tries for Shujaa against Zambia while Augustine Lugonzo crossed over once and Tony Omondi slicing the posts for conversions in two of the three tries.

Innocent Simiyu’s charges had hoped to defend their title, but they saw the dreams crashed after losing 22-12 to Uganda in the semi-finals. They had earlier on suffered a shock 12-7 loss to Madagascar in their last pool match.

Shujaa had a perfect start to the tournament, beating Namibia 33-7 and Zimbabwe 24-19 in their first two pool matches. They had earned a place in the pool stage after a 19-0 victory over Senegal in the seeding match.

Hosts Uganda won the tournament after thrashing Zimbabwe 28-0 in the final.