Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater has revealed that Ntabeni Dukisa was unable to make his anticipated debut for the Simbas due to an injury sustained last week.
Dukisa, originally from South Africa, had become eligible to play for the Simbas, meeting the requirements under Regulation 8.2, which allows players with a credible national link to represent a country’s national team.
Ntabeni Dukisa’s ankle
The versatile back, who can play as a fly-half, full-back wing, or in the midfield, missed the Elgon Cup opener against Uganda as the Simbas returned to RFUEA Grounds for the first time since 2018.
Andy Cole Omollo in action for Kenya Simbas against Uganda in Elgon. PHOTO/Malhon Lichuma
Speaking to Scrummage Africa, Paarwater explained that Dukisa trained until Thursday but twisted his ankle, leading to the decision to keep him out of the match.
“On Thursday in training, he went over his ankle. We saw it safe to put him out of the squad because his ankle was not properly healed,” said Paarwater.
When asked if Dukisa might be available for the next clash, Paarwater noted that he would be reassessed this Monday.
“The doctors said they would assess him on Monday and we will know,” he added.
Since joining Kenya in the 2019/20 season, Dukisa has become an instrumental figure at Kabras RFC, leading them to three consecutive Kenya Cup titles and an Enterprise Cup victory.
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His scoring prowess has earned him two Top Points Scorer trophies, and he was named Kenya Cup final Player of the Match.
Dukisa’s rugby journey began with the Border Bulldogs youth system in South Africa, where he played in the Under-21 Provincial Championships in 2008 and 2009.
In 2010, he made his debut for the Bulldogs’ senior team in the Currie Cup First Division. By the following season, he was the team’s top scorer, tallying 89 points, the fifth-highest in the league.
He continued to make an impact with his kicking and try-scoring skills, leading the Bulldogs’ scoring charts in the 2012 Vodacom Cup.
Ntabeni Dukisa in SA
He went on to play for Griffons on loan, then joined Eastern Province Kings in 2013, where he participated in the Currie Cup First Division, helping the Kings reach the final.
Kenya Simbas huddle before a past training session. PHOTO/Uganda Rugby Union
He topped the EP Kings’ scoring in the 2014 Vodacom Cup and briefly joined the Boland Cavaliers before returning to the Kings.
Dukisa’s journey also saw him represent the South African Barbarians against England in 2012, where he made an impression by scoring a try shortly after taking the field.
