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Kenya rugby 15s team off to S.Africa for the international training camp

Xinhua, May 12, 2017 Adjust font size:

Kenya 15s rugby team will pitch camp in South Africa for ten days where they will play a test match against Durbell RFC of Cape Town before returning home to take on Germany.

The team is aiming to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in Japan and captain Wilson Kopondo is hopeful they will make the cut.

"I am happy to return to the team and we are going to have many matches this year all geared towards qualifying for the World Cup. We start in South Africa and then play Germany. They are exciting matches and we will learn a lot from them," Kopondo said.

The 30-man Kenya 15s squad is a blend of young and experienced players and with over 11 games at hand, the team needs its best talent on board for the assignment.

After playing the Durbell RFC of Cape Town, Kenya will then have a date with Germany on May 27 in Nairobi.

"We have trained well together in Nairobi and hope to use the camp in South Africa to fine tune aspects of our play, most notably the set piece and scrimmaging as we prepare for the Germany match, which kicks off our international season," Team Manager Simiyu Wangila said in Nairobi on Friday.

Kopondo's return will see Davis Chenge relinquish the captain's armband. Chenge overcomes a nagging injury to return to the squad and is happy his senior will be joining the team.

"We can qualify for the World Cup. Last time we missed but we hope to do well," said Chenge.

Others missing out due to professional and academic commitments include Oliver Mang'eni, Kenny Andola, Steve Otieno and Benjamin Marshall while Darwin Mukidza is away with the Kenya Sevens team in Europe.

Kopondo missed out last season with an injury and the inclusion of another experienced player Biko Adema is exciting the team.

Kenya will also play in Africa Cup next year, where they hope to claim the automatic slot for the World Cup in Japan. Endit