Kenya Simbas claimed Bronze in the Stellenbosch Challenge after beating Brazil 36-30 in a contest played at Markotter Stadium on Saturday November 20th.
Simbas headed to this clash eyeing the first win on the tour having lost the first two matches with huge margins. They were also hoping to maintain their good run which had seen them beat Brazil 27-25 and 18-17 in the test matches played in 2011 and 2016. Fijian born Jone Kubu was named man of the match after touching down two important tries as Kenya rugby national team also dubbed Simbas scored five tries to rally from behind twice to beat Brazil.
Kubu also registered three of the four conversions for Simbas as the Paul Odera coached side led 22-16 heading to the interval.
Brazil who had lost their semi-final date against Zimbabwe 24-22 got on the scoresheet first through penalties by Lucas Tranquez in the sixth and 12th minute. Kenya came close severally before pulling back via a penalty by Jone Kubu at the 16th minute. Brazil’s patience in build-up saw them land a try that was converted by Tranquez for a 13-3 lead in the 24th minute.
Kenya fought back and after minutes of possession, Kubu slipped past his markers and scored Kenya first try of the match. He converted for a 13-10 scoreline.
Kenya Simbas led for the first time in the 32nd, it was after Andrew Matoka released the ball back to play before he was bundled out on the left-wing, Brian Tanga quickly pounced on the loose ball and set up supporting John Okoth who landed a try that saw Kenya lead 15-13. Kubu was unable to add the extras.
Tranquez put the Brazilians back to lead with a penalty but the one-point lead was short-lived as Kubu set up Vincent Onyala who accelerated and scored at the 39th minute for Kenya to move to 20 points. A conversion by Kubu followed and the Simbas took a 22-16 lead to the break.
Brazil started the second half well and got a penalty try that saw the lead again. Thomas Okeyo was yellow-carded for a high tackle. The Simbas responded immediately and after a patient hunt by the forwards, the ball was released to the backs. Tanga picked Kubu with a pass off a ruck near the try-line and the Fijian-born fly-half beat his markers to land Kenya’s fourth try which Andrew Matoka converted for a 29-23 lead.
Brazil came close to landing another try but Jacob Ojee’s desperate tackle on Robson Morais saved the day. Simbas were punished for running the ball in their goal area and Onyala knocked the ball handing Brazil an attacking scrum. From the scrum, Brazil got another penalty try to lead again.
Malcolm Onsando and substitute Samuel Asati combined for Kenya to reclaim the lead. Brazil were undone by late penalties and handling errors as the Simbas held on to hand them the second loss. This performance sees Kenya finish third in the Stellenbosch Challenge.