Weakened Kabras to face Bankers without nine influential first team players

Kabras RFC will be out to extend their historic 50-match unbeaten run when they travel to the KCB Sports Club to face KCB in a highly-anticipated Kenya Cup clash on Saturday, 7 March.

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The Sugarmen head into the fixture sitting top of the table with 45 points after winning all their nine matches this season, collecting a bonus point in each of those victories. Their dominance has seen them stretch their unbeaten run to fifty matches in the fifteens format, a milestone they achieved last weekend.

Hosts KCB, however, will be determined to spoil the party. The Bankers are second on the standings with 43 points and are also unbeaten this season, meaning Saturday’s encounter could play a significant role in determining who secures home advantage heading into the semifinals.

Despite their impressive run, Kabras will head into the clash significantly weakened, with as many as nine influential first-team players set to miss the match due to retirement, transfers, and injuries.

One of the biggest blows to the Kakamega-based side is the absence of South African utility back Ntabeni Dukisa, who has retired from professional rugby. Dukisa quietly stepped away from the game after a decorated career that included professional stints in South Africa and a trophy-laden spell with Kabras.

Blow for Kabras RFC as South African utility back retires

His absence had initially sparked speculation among pundits, with many believing the Sugarmen were preserving him for key fixtures later in the season. It has now emerged that the experienced back has decided to call time on his career.

Kabras have also lost the services of Kenya Sevens stalwart William Mwanji, who is believed to have left the club in pursuit of better opportunities in Canada, although details surrounding the move remain unclear.

In the injury department, utility back Jone Kubu has been ruled out for six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee. The Kenya Simbas and Shujaa star has been battling the injury since December 2023, when he was stretchered off during Kabras’ 72-10 Kenya Cup victory over Kisumu.

The injury sidelined him for nearly a year as he underwent treatment and rehabilitation before making a return late last season, featuring for Shujaa in the World Sevens Series and also representing the Simbas during their Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign in Uganda.

However, the pain persisted, prompting the decision to undergo arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure where a small camera is inserted into the joint to diagnose or repair damage. The procedure is commonly used to treat cartilage tears, ligament injuries, and joint inflammation, and typically allows for quicker recovery.

KCB out to end Kabras’ 50-match unbeaten run as Kenya Cup enters decisive stage

Another player on the treatment table is Jackson Siketi, who suffered a concussion during Kenya Sevens training ahead of the Nairobi leg of the HSBC SVNS 2.

“I concussed during a lineout training. Now I am recovering. Road to recovery,” Siketi said while confirming the setback.

Speedster Rayvon Ambale is also sidelined after sustaining a tibia fracture two weeks before the Kenya Sevens camp in South Africa. He has been out of action since the injury.

The list of absentees further includes George Nyambua, Teddy Akala, and Brian Tanga, who are all currently recovering from injuries.

Kabras head coach sounds warning of impeding decline despite 50 consecutive victories

Despite the long injury list and squad disruptions, Kabras will still head into the match confident of extending their unbeaten run, though they face a stern test against a KCB side eager to tighten the title race and secure a crucial home semifinal advantage.

The two sides share a fierce rivalry that has produced tightly contested encounters over the years. Since 2014, Kabras and KCB have faced off 18 times in the Kenya Cup, including both finals and regular season matches. KCB hold the upper hand historically with 11 wins, while Kabras have claimed six victories, with one match ending in a draw.