The Tusker Simba XV were the talk of town this weekend after they upset the EP Kings 17-10 in their Vodacom Cup debut.
The Simbas tore up the odds and indeed surprised many with this win as it was generally expected that the side would be on the receiving end of a big score here. It looked like this was going to be the case as Claude Tshidibi gave the Kings an early 5-0 lead from a maul.
The home side were quick in their reply with Leonard Mugaisi touching down to level the scores going into the break. The pacy winger would complete his brace in the second half, to give the side a 12-5 lead after a successful Andola conversion. This despite being a man down after Joshua Chisanga was sent to the bin for persistent infringements.
Max Adaka marked his full debut at hooker with a try a few minutes later to stretch the lead to 12 points at 17-5. The side would weather the storm that followed even with two players sent to the bin, Edwin Achayo and Max Adaka at different times. The Kings would get a try in the 74th minute through Pieter Stemmet to set up a nervy end but would get nothing more in this match.
That win sees the Tusker Simba XV sit in fourth place behind the Sharks XV, Free State XV and Western Province respectively in the Southern Conference. A morale boosting win that will go a long way in settling any nerves that were in the squad and give them the momentum going into the second fixture against the South Western Districts.
It was an all round great performance from the side, with the forwards up for special mention, winning a battle most didn’t give them a chance in. Going into the next match, the side’s discipline is the only cause of concern, 3 yellow cards is just too high a return from a single match.
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!
