Kenya Simbas' South African coach Jerome Paarwaters during a past training session at RFUEA grounds in Nairobi. Kenya will play Zimbabwe in a 2027 rugby World Cup qualifier semi-final match in Kampala on Sunday.
Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater expects an “ugly” 2027 Rugby World Cup Africa qualifier semi-final clash with continental rivals Zimbabwe Sables on Sunday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Kampala.
The South African said the crunch match could be decided by small margins like penalties and drop goals and the Simbas must capitalise on every opportunity to score points.
“We should expect some ugly rugby and it will be about creating opportunities and taking them up for points,” said Paarwater on phone from Kampala, hinting that they will use the same approach they employed in the Ugandan match.
“We had a lot of opportunities against Uganda but players opted not to take the penalties,” said Paarwater.
The Simbas dug deep to silence Uganda Rugby Cranes and their partisan crowd 32-24 at Namboole Stadium in their quarter-final match on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe dismissed Morocco 43-8 to set up the mouth-watering semi-final clash.
Namibia, who have participated in the past seven editions of the World Cup with world champions South Africa, will take on Algeria in the other semi-final, also on Sunday.
Paarwater said they will go for clean play at the breakdowns and avoid some of the mistakes that went unpunished, especially at the scrums.
Kenya Simbas players celebrate their 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifier victory against Uganda in Kampala on July 8, 2025.
“We are not allowed to put hands over and scoop the ball at the breakdown but we did that…we can’t do that again. The mistake will be costly,” warned Paarwater.
Paarwater described Zimbabwe as a quality side that has improved greatly with some of their players plying their trade in South Africa and in other quality leagues overseas.
The Sables winger Matt McNab, for instance, plays for Doncaster Knights in England, loose-forward Jason Fraser is based at Nevers in France while fly-half Ian Prior features for Associates in Australia.
“They are the defending champions and having watched them play Morocco, we just need to be clinical in our line-outs and use our strong scrummages to our advantage. I think things like penalties and drop goals may decide the duel,” said Paarwater.
“We know each other well and where the pressure will come from. Key points will be to play and kick the ball in the right areas and concentrate for 90 minutes,” said Paarwater.
Paarwater said the two drop goals and scintillating try by fly-half Barry Young against Uganda are things that they have been practising in training.
“These things don’t just happen. We train for them,” said Paarwater.
This will be the first time the two sides are meeting since their Currie Cup First Division duel on May 19, 2023 where the Simbas mauled the visitors 48-7 at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
The Rugby World Cup qualifier doubles up as Rugby Africa Cup where Zimbabwe are the defending champions.
The Simbas and Sables have met 24 times with the continental champions having the lion’s share of wins at 14 while losing 10 times.
Kenya Simbas players celebrate their 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifier victory against Uganda in Kampala on July 8, 2025.
Kenya (2011, 2013) and Zimbabwe (2012, 2024) have won the Rugby Africa Cup twice each.
But significantly, Zimbabwe have featured at the World Cup twice in 1987 and 1991 against Kenya’s zero appearance.
