- The Kenya Simbas will face Zimbabwe in the Rugby Africa Cup 2025 semifinals on Sunday, July 13.
- A win against the Sables will bring them just one victory away from securing direct qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
- Paarwater expressed that qualifying for the World Cup would be a monumental achievement and a unifying moment for the country, similar to South Africa’s iconic 1995 World Cup victory.
The national men’s rugby 15s team, the Kenya Simbas, are on the verge of making history as they strive to qualify for their first-ever Rugby World Cup, a mission driven not only by sporting ambition but also by a desire to unite a nation currently grappling with unrest.
The Simbas are now just one match away from reaching the final of the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, where they will face defending champions Zimbabwe in the semifinals on Sunday, July 13, at the Mandela National Stadium.
A victory over the Sables will book them a place in the finals against either record African champions Namibia or Algeria.
Triumphing in that decisive clash would earn them an automatic ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia a historic first for Kenya.
Even if they finish as runners-up, the Simbas will still have a path to qualification, albeit a more challenging one.
They would advance to an Asia/Africa playoff against the United Arab Emirates, the second-place team from the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship.
The winner of that fixture will then proceed to the Final Qualification Tournament scheduled for November 8–18 in Dubai, keeping their World Cup aspirations alive.
Kenya Simbas to pursue historic Rugby World Cup debut to inspire national unity and hope
Speaking ahead of the high-stakes semifinal, Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater expressed that securing World Cup qualification would be a monumental achievement and a unifying moment for the country, similar to South Africa’s iconic 1995 World Cup victory
Yes, I know the players are aware there is a lot of conflict in Kenya at the moment. They actually want to put smiles on people’s faces,” Paarwater told SportPesa Blog during a Saturday press conference.
As you said, I experienced it in 1995 in South Africa. I was still playing back then. I didn’t make it to the finals with the Springboks, but I was part of the setup, and I know how a win can unify a country. So the players know what to do to bring the nation together.”
Simbas halfback Samuel Asati echoed the coach’s sentiments, highlighting how their success could lift the spirits of Kenyans facing adversity.
First, it will be historic qualifying for the World Cup. And again, we are carrying the hopes of many people back at home, considering the situation that is going on there,” Asati said.
I think when we qualify for the World Cup, we will be able to change the mindset of some people and bring some joy. Even with the ongoing turmoil, we’ll manage to shift their mindset a little bit and give them hope.”
Rugby Africa Cup 2025 quarter finals results (8 July)
- QF 1: Zimbabwe 43-8 Morocco
- QF 2: Algeria 41-6 Cote d’Ivoire
- QF 3: Namibia 55-17 Senegal
- QF 4: Kenya 32-24 Uganda
Upcoming events: Semifinals (13 July)
- Namibia vs Algeria (2PM EAT)
- Zimbabwe vs Kenya (4PM EAT)
Final (19 July)
- Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF 2