Kabras Sugar score big after embracing professionalism

Kabras Sugar lifted the 2016 Kenya Cup title beating Impala 22-5 in the final to become the only team from outside Nairobi after Nakuru to win the prestigious rugby title.

Then for two consecutive seasons thereafter, Kabras lost to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in the final of top division competition.

Kabras went down to bankers 36-8 2017 29-24 in 2018.

Keen rugby observers will have noted that while Kabras Sugar have had big and strong forwards besides nifty backs their game management and effective use of the ball to expose the gaps in their opponents especially against KCB in the last two finals have been lacking.

That is why Henley du Plessis’s work was cut out when he was appointed head coach in a three-year contract replacing Charles Cardovillis, who had stayed with the sugar millers for one season, in August last year.

“I was first eager to know what Kabras Sugar players and management thought about rugby so as to give me that platform on the kind of structures that would produce results,” said the South African coach.

Du Plessis disclosed that the management led by their newly appointed chairman Philip Jalang’o had a clue of what they wanted from him.

For a start, they needed players in three crucial positions; eighth man, fly-half and outside centre.

“They wanted a number eight, who would come in handy in support play, tackling and ball-carrying,” Du Plessis said. “Kabras had for long been without a fly-half who would kick the ball and think quickly on his feet, and a quick outside centre with the ability to offload the ball, to keep the attack moving to the wingers.”

“More so, I also realised that some positional changes were required for Kabras Sugar to effectively deal with their defence setbacks especially in straight and side tackling and how to complete the tackles.”

Consequently, Du Plessis brought in eighth man Claude Johannes, fly-half Logan Basson and outside centre Mario Wilson, all from South Africa. He moved skipper Max Adaka to hooker position with Brian Tanga shifted to scrum-half position.

By the time the season was starting Kabras had 15 players on full contract and 22 on partial contract and/or under scholarships.

Management was coy on giving figures but it is well known their top players are well remunerated — eating, sleeping and talking rugby

“We started working with our systems by planning what to do on attack, how we wanted it and when to do the attacks,” said Du Plessis.

He happily noted that the systems were working well even though he hastened that its still work in progress. “We are getting better week by week in our set pieces especially our scrums and line-outs.”

Perhaps that explains why Kabras Sugar are doing well this season, having won all 10 league matches thus far, nine with bonus points to top the league with 49 points.

“Our executions for me are good and in correct places on the field. The most beautiful thing is that the players have bought into my plans. They can be coached, are able to listen to instructions and they can produce something with instructions,” explained Du Plessis.

Du Plessis said that there has also been a lot of individual brilliance — the X-factor — with the likes of Uganda international fullback Phillip Wokorach expressing himself well. “Kabras are now playing the running type of rugby they like and its satisfying how we have mixed up the old type and the new style of play that is making a big difference. The teamwork is simply amazing,” said Du Plessis.

Du Plessis, however, admitted they still had a long way to go before they can finally stand on the pedestal of rugby champions of Kenya.

Champions KCB will give then a stern test on Saturday at Impala Club in Nairobi in easily the biggest match of the season thus far.

But they have been tested before this season.

They beat Kenya Harlequin 21-3, the only match they failed to secure a bonus point.

Homeboyz then stretched them last weekend before the sugar men prevailed 39-24.

“We must be clinical and accurate in our next matches,” said Du Plessis adding that the play-offs will be different since you get just one chance to advance to the next stage.

Du Plessis acknowledged that his job came with pressure when Kabras Sugar management set winning the Kenya Cup title this season as their main target.

“I can handle pressure but as the coach, I want to grow and improve rugby this side of the country and show people in Kenya that rugby is alive in western region,” said Du Plessis, who is also grooming local coaches. He started with former Kabras Sugar players Edwin Achayo, who is his deputy and Duncan Mwangi, who is handling their second side.

“After three years, I want Kabras to be handled by coaches from this area,” said Du Plessis, who is working with about 60 players, which he ensures his planning, running and the implementations of programs are spot on despite huge challenges.

Kabras Sugar team manager David Ngugi noted that the players from South Africa and Uganda have brought quality and dynamism to Kabras coupled with the infusion of Du Plessis’ sports science to transform the club into a championship outfit.

“His ingredients of hard work, passion and dedication, mixed with player welfare have been a recipe for good results,” said Ngugi adding that players have been given room to express themselves. “This has given players confidence to dig deep, and winning Kenya Cup has been their unifying goal that they are willing to do anything to achieve.”

Ngugi said that players have related well with Du Plessis owing to his professionalism derived from his rich rugby background.

The 42-year-old Du Plessis, was Currie Cup side Boland Cavaliers forwards coach. He played for South Africa’s Springboks “A” and holds a World Rugby Level III coach certificate.

The South Africa players are happy to try out some different experience outside South Africa.

Basson hopes his vast experience in game management and kicking will bring another dimension to the game in Kenya.

“It’s good to know that we have a different Kabras team that is playing more clinically and mentally,” said Basson, who has had a decade of experience playing in South Africa for Griquas, Border Bulldogs, Boland Cavaliers and Western Province. “This is a new venture for me and hopefully will help bring Kenya Cup back home at Kabras.”

“Bringing in foreign players is not meant to demean but help grow the game. I will be glad if our contribution improved Kenyan rugby and helped the country qualify for the next World Cup,” said Basson.

Wilson, 23, said his love for Kenya dates back three years ago when he visited with a South African team for Safari Sevens. “What motivated me is that I am still young and I wanted the opportunity to travel and learn different cultures as I enjoy rugby. I am here for rugby and if people learn from me it will awesome,” he said

Mario noted that the brotherhood experienced at Kabras is great and feels Kenya as his second home.