Kabras RFC will kick off their 11th season in the Kenya Cup with a home clash against Impala RFC, who return to the top tier after a two-season absence due to relegation following a disappointing run.
This match comes 3,666 days after Kabras RFC’s debut in the Kenya Cup. The Sugarmen boast an impressive 100% record over the last two seasons, securing three consecutive Kenya Cup titles.
Kabras RFC run
Heading into the new campaign, they have lost just one of their 10 opening-day fixtures. That sole defeat came in 2016 when KCB edged them 13-3. Since then, Kabras have maintained a nine-match winning streak on opening days, achieving a remarkable 90% win rate in season openers.
Over their past 10 seasons, Kabras RFC has played 154 Kenya Cup matches, winning 128, losing 24, and drawing twice. However, unlike the last two seasons where they participated in the Victoria 15s, Kabras have opted for a quiet preseason this time around.
Impala RFC
Impala RFC return to the Kenya Cup after two seasons in the second tier and will aim to make a strong start. The Gazelles are among the few teams to have won at the Kakamega Forest, their victory coming in the 2017 Enterprise Cup semis with a 16-13 scoreline. They also secured a vital 12-11 win over MMUST at the venue to seal their Kenya Cup comeback.
Impala head into this match after an impressive run at their home tournament, the Impala Floodlit, where they finished as runners-up. They defeated Mwamba and Nondies en route to the final but fell short against a 14-man Menengai Oilers side, losing 49-3. Despite the loss, their return to the final for the first time since 2018 marks a significant improvement.
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Under new head coach Louis Kisia, appointed in the offseason, Impala hopes to replicate the success Kisia achieved with Strathmore Leos, where he guided them to back-to-back semi-finals after promotion.
Head-to-Head
Kabras RFC and Impala RFC have faced off 13 times in the Kenya Cup, with Kabras dominating the rivalry with 12 wins. Impala’s lone victory was a 31-14 triumph in March 2016. Despite the losses, Impala have consistently managed to score in 12 of their meetings with Kabras over the years.
Kabras RFC vs Impala H2H in #KenyaCup
Impala have failed to score against Kabras RFC one since 2014.#RugbyKe pic.twitter.com/ZcVIgYn1Yf— Scrummage Africa (@Scrummageafrica) November 21, 2024
In these 13 matches, Kabras RFC have scored a total of 374 points while conceding 194. As they prepare for their latest encounter, Kabras will look to extend their dominance, while Impala aim to defy the odds and make a strong return to Kenya’s top rugby league.
Watch Henly Du Plessis reflect on Kabras stay
