KCB Rugby Football Club (RFC) has officially shifted gears, preparing for the 15s rugby Kenya Cup 2024-25 season after wrapping up the 2024 National Sevens Circuit with a respectable third-place finish.
Kenya Harlequins won the National Sevens Circuit championship by finishing fifth at the Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru on Sunday. Kabras claimed second place with 105 points, while Menengai Oilers took fourth with 83 points.
Despite getting off to a slow start in the 7s circuit, KCB RFC, led by the experienced Andrew Amonde, ended the season on a high note with 94 points.
KCB, the former champions, triumphed at the Kabeberi Sevens in Nairobi but fell to Kenya Harlequin 12-15 in the Driftwood 7s.
The Bankers finished fifth at the Dala Sevens, defeating Nondies 31-0, but lost 12-17 to Kenya Quins at the Kakamega Sevens. In the opening leg at Christies, KCB also placed fifth, beating MMUST 22-14.
Coach Andrew Amonde shared his thoughts after the Nakuru event, acknowledging that the team faced some challenges, particularly on the first day of matches. However, he commended the players for showing resilience and bouncing back to finish the tournament strong.
“We had to dig deep on the second day after not playing well on the first day. Big up to the boys who stepped up and showed the character we wanted them to show,” Amonde said. He emphasized the importance of consistency, adding that the lessons learned from the sevens circuit would be crucial as they transition to the fifteens format.
With the Kenya Cup season expected to kick off in November, the team is now redirecting its efforts and energy toward building on its sevens performance, eyeing a stronger showing in the game’s longer, more physically demanding format.
Despite these setbacks, KCB’s performance at the Nakuru leg of the circuit (Prinsloo Sevens) showcased their potential. The team finished ninth overall, defeating Daystar Falcons 38-0 to win the Challenger Cup—a consolation, but a victory nonetheless.
Tough Competition
The rise of competition from other teams impacted KCB’s overall performance. In a particularly tough match at Kakamega Sevens, KCB narrowly lost 12-17 to Kenya Harlequin, another setback that dented their chances of defending the overall title.
Other teams, including Nondies and Menengai Oilers, also stepped up their game, making the 2024 Sevens Circuit one of the most competitive in recent memory. Coach Amonde admitted that the competition had improved significantly compared to the previous year.
“Compared to last season, we did not do well considering we were the defending champions. I also think the other teams have improved. The next time we are preparing for this circuit, we will start from the beginning. We started very slow, and it ended up costing us on the last day,” he remarked.
Focus on Discipline and Fitness
15s rugby is a completely different beast compared to sevens. It requires more stamina, strategic depth, and physicality, given that matches last 80 minutes instead of the fast-paced 14-minute games in the 7s format.
KCB has always prided itself on its solid defence, and with Amonde at the helm, the team is likely to emphasize tactical discipline, with players executing their roles precisely to grind out victories.
Amonde has been clear about the need to integrate younger players into the squad and build a cohesive team that can withstand the rigours of the longer season.
“The fifteens season is a long one. For us, it’s about bringing everyone on board, especially the new guys coming in and building the team we want,” Amonde stated. His goal is to establish a balance between seasoned players and fresh talent, creating a dynamic squad that can dominate the local rugby scene once again.
Players to Watch
Captain Andrew Amonde will continue to play a pivotal role, both as a leader and as a mentor to younger players. Known for his physicality and tactical intelligence, Amonde’s experience will be invaluable as the team takes on new challenges.
In addition, younger players like fly-half Johnstone Olindi and winger Jacob Ojee, who made their mark in the sevens, will be looking to carry their form into the fifteens season. Ojee will captain KCB in the 2024-2025 Kenya Cup season and will be deputised by flanker Peter Waitere, bringing his international experience to the forefront.
Olindi’s playmaking ability and Ojee’s speed and agility make them dangerous players in open space, and both will be crucial to KCB’s attacking strategy.
The team will also rely heavily on its forward pack to dominate set pieces and maintain possession. Veterans like Vincent Onyala and Brian Omondi will provide the muscle needed to control the scrums and lineouts, crucial areas in fifteens rugby.
Fans can expect KCB to come out with a renewed sense of purpose in the fifteens season. The team is hungry to reclaim its dominance in Kenyan rugby and will likely focus on a physical, forward-driven style of play, complemented by quick backline movements.
The fifteens format gives KCB the chance to correct the inconsistencies that plagued their sevens campaign. Unlike the rapid, high-scoring nature of sevens, fifteens is about patience, control, and maintaining a consistent tempo throughout the game—qualities that KCB will be keen to showcase.
