Kenya's national rugby union team, known as the Simbas, represents the country in international 15-a-side rugby competitions. The Kenya Rugby Union manages the team, which has developed a strong rivalry with several African nations. Unlike the country's famous Shujaa sevens team, the Simbas compete with fifteen players on each side.
The Simbas have twice won the Rugby Africa Cup, with their continental titles arriving in 2011 and 2013. Their second triumph came after a victory over Zimbabwe in Madagascar, another milestone for Kenyan rugby. The team also recorded a memorable victory against Namibia in 2014, although qualification for the Rugby World Cup remained out of reach.
Kenya reached another Rugby Africa Cup final in 2022 after defeating Algeria in the semifinals. Namibia won the final, which also served as part of the qualification process for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The Simbas later entered an additional qualification tournament in Dubai but could not secure a place at the finals.
Matches against neighbouring Uganda form another important part of Kenya's rugby history through the traditional Elgon Cup. The competition usually features home and away encounters, with the aggregate result determining which country receives the trophy. Kenya has claimed the cup on several occasions, including a successful campaign in 2024. These regional contests remain particularly important because both nations have long traditions in East African rugby.
Rugby followers can explore bookmakers with Africa Cup markets, match handicaps and welcome bonuses for international fixtures. Before choosing a bet, they can also check betting tax rules in Kenya to understand deductions from potential returns.