SDV Transami present a cheque for KSH 3M to KRFU for this years Bamburi Rugby Super Series. From left - right: SDV Transami's Auni Bhaiji, Deputy Regional Managing Director, SDV Transami's Jean-Christophe Tranchepain Managing Director - Kenya, Aggrey Chabeda Chairman Bamburi Rugby Super Series, Ken Kimani Chairman Cheetahs Franchise

SDV Transami, the first logistics network integrated in Africa, has been playing an important role in the development of international logistics activities, mainly to and from Africa.

It is wholly owned by the Bolloré Group and today, thanks to the expertise of its teams and its worldwide network, is a world re-known and leading group, specialized in international freight forwarding, transportation and logistics.

Our involvement with the Bamburi Super Series began in 2008 and the tournament has grown in stature and is now enjoyed by thousands of fans around the East African Region.

Following this success, and as we promised last year, SDV Transami will once again, in association with Bamburi Cement, be the official co-sponsors of the 2010 Rugby Super Series bringing support to this festival where brain meets brawn.

There are a number of similarities between Rugby and SDV Transami. Team spirit is one of SDV Transami’s core values and our core business demonstrates and demands it just like in rugby. In the rugby game, there is a lot of pushing and shoving to secure a win; similarly at SDV Transami our entire workforce will push as hard as necessary to ensure that our customers win. Rugby is a tough sport yet it remains very fair; logistics in Africa is tough, with difficult roads and great distances to be covered.

This year, SDV Transami will once again be sponsoring Cheetah’s franchise. Just as SDV Transami believes in a fighting spirit, always striving to be the best and constantly a notch above the rest, we believe that the Cheetah’s will follow suit and do us proud when they finally hold high the Bamburi Super Series Trophy this
year.

It is our pleasure to announce SDV Transami’s sponsorship of Kes. 3,000,000.00 We look forward to a spectacular event.

Members of the press are cordially invited to come and cover this event.

Bamburi Cement Managing Director, Hussein Mansi, presents Kenya Rugby Union chairman, Richard Omwela, with a sponsorship cheque for KSH 11m.
L - R: Bamburi Cement Marketing Director Robert Nyang'aya, Bamburi Cement Managing Director Hussein Mansi, Kenya Rugby Union chairman Richard Omwela, Bamburi Rugby Super Series Chairman, Aggrey Chabeda, Kenya Rugby Union Vice Chairman, Fred Odhiambo.

Leading local cement manufacturer, Bamburi Cement, has once more “cemented” its commitment to the development of regional rugby with a Kshs 11 million Title Sponsorship deal with the Kenya Rugby Football Union for the forthcoming Bamburi Rugby Super Series 2010 tournament.

The major title sponsorship cheque was presented to the Kenya Rugby Football Union by Bamburi Cement Managing Director, Hussein Mansi. Speaking at the ceremony, Mansi said that his firm was proud to be sponsoring the tournament for the seventh year in a row.

Bamburi Cement first sponsored a franchise team in the original Super Series tournament in 2004. Since 2005, the firm has been the title sponsor for the tournament now known as Bamburi Rugby Super Series.

“We believe that this tournament offers a valuable opportunity for the development of the rugby game in this country, and to complement the tournament, we have increased our level of sponsorship to raise this year’s event to even higher standards.” said Mansi as he emphasized Bamburi Cement’s commitment to the tournament.

Sponsorship commitment by Bamburi Cement has risen steadily over the years with a commitment of Kshs. 5 million in 2007, Kshs. 9 million in both 2008 and 2009 and this year’s record Kshs. 11 million. The firm’s 2010 sponsorship will see Kshs. 2.5 million committed to cash sponsorship of the tournament, Kshs. 1 million to the prize kitty, Kshs. 2 million to the players’ kits and Kshs. 5.5 million used for publicity.

During the event ceremony held today, Bamburi Cement’s Marketing Director Robert Nyang’aya revealed that the title sponsorship will cover the costs of staging of this year’s Rugby Super Series tournament scheduled for kick off on Saturday 24th April 2010 simultaneously at three venues, Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds on Ngong Road, Nairobi, Kampala and Arusha.

Speaking during ceremony at Bamburi Cement’s Nairobi offices, Nyang’aya said his firm’s experience from the past seven Bamburi Rugby Super series tournaments, had inspired them to renew the title sponsorship package to ensure the sustenance and development of the popular game’s standard of play.

“The attributes of rugby such as strength, endurance and resilience are similar to those of our brands and make such sponsorships appealing to us,” he said.

Nyang’aya added that this firm has consistently demonstrated its long-term commitment to sports sponsorship with particular emphasis on rugby development in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

He attributed the growth and success of Bamburi Rugby Super Series to a fruitful partnership between the Kenya Rugby Football Union, local and regional media houses, corporate sponsors and the players of the tournament.

The Bamburi Rugby Super Series is now an East African tournament with eight franchise teams from the region expected to play. The teams include two from Uganda and one from Tanzania and matches will be played in Nairobi, Kampala and Arusha.

Besides its title sponsorship of the Bamburi Rugby Super Series tournament, Bamburi Cement is involved in the development of the game through its subsidiary in Uganda – HIMA Cement. The company continues to sponsor university side Hima Impis as well as the popular Hima Ten Aside annual tournament.

On his part, Kenya Rugby Football Union Chairman, Mr. Richard Omwela extended the sporting unions appreciation for the gesture, which he described as a worthy corporate example.

Preparations, he confirmed, are already in high gear for the tournament that is set to kick-off on Saturday 24th April 2010 at the RFUEA Grounds. The event will continue for five weeks with the final to be held on Saturday May 22nd at the same grounds. Fixtures leading up to the final will be played in Arusha and Nairobi.

The Sharks

By Maik Kwambo

The Bamburi Rugby Super Series (BRSS) will be returning in 2010 albeit with some modifications that are intended to promote the growth of the game while enhancing rugby’s already growing popularity.

All rugby lovers will be delighted to know that the 2010 BRSS will retain the eight team format that was introduced in 2009. Kenya takes up the lions’ share with five franchises while Uganda will again have two franchises with Tanzania taking up the final franchise slot.

While the universities “Sharks” franchise remains untouched, three other franchises have been reconstituted. The “Buffaloes” franchise, lately the domain of Nakuru RFC is now composed of Kisumu RFC, Nyanza, Western Province and neighbouring towns.The Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) has undertaken to initiate a tournament in Western Kenya that will play the twin roles of selecting the “Buffaloes” 2010 squad while establishing a platform for a regular league in the talent laden region. Nakuru RFC renew their acquaintance with Kenya Harlequin FC, a relationship that was solid for the first three years of the Rugby Super Series when they link up to form the new look “Rhinos” franchise. Another couple renewing their acquaintance is Kenya Commercial Bank and Mwamba RFC who also formed the original “Lions” franchise between 2003 and 2005. The Cheetahs franchise of Impala RFC and Nondescripts RUFC remains unchanged.

It was semi final Saturday on match day 4 of the 2009 Bamburi Rugby Super Series where Buffaloes and Rhinos won their matches to ensure an all Kenyan final on Saturday 18th April 2009.

Buffaloes v/s Sharks
Venue: RFUEA Nairobi
Attendance: +2000
Weather: Clear

Two late tries from Vincent Mose and John “Che” Ekong’o saw the Buffaloes deny the Nguvu Sharks a maiden appearance in the BRSS final.

Flyhalf Simon Wariuki opened the Buffaloes account with a 5th minute drop goal, giving them an early 3-0 lead. They dominated the opening exchanges and were rewarded with a 15th minute try from Lawrence Mutai
that extended the scores to 8-0.

The Sharks were stung by this, coming back into the game. Maurice Mbai’s 22nd minute trying reducing the deficit to 8-5. A massive IanChewini penalty from 35 meters out tied the scores at 8-8.

The Sharks were back in the game, effectively dealing with Buffaloes attacks while putting their foot on the gas pedal. They however failed to turn their dominance into points and were punished by a second Wariuki drop goal heading into the interval.

Half Time Scores
Buffaloes 11 Sharks 8

Mitch Ocholla’s half time pep talk seemed to have inspired confidence in the Sharks who came out guns blazing and were rewarded with a second Chewini penalty that brought them level for the second time in
the match. 11-11 at this point.

Both sides prodded each others defences and it the Buffaloes fullback Vincent Mose who touched down after some great interplay with Davis Yanga. 16-11 to the Buffaloes.

With only five points separating the two sides, the match was now poised for an exciting finish.There were near misses from both sides before the Buffaloes won a scrum down on the Sharks five yard. the indefatigable John “Che” Ekong’o touched down at the dearth.

Final Score
Buffaloes 21 Sharks 11

The second semi final saw former champions Rhinos fight off a spirited challenge from Uganda’s Rwenzori, emerging 30-20 winners in a duel that they led 17-5 at the interval.

Earlier, the Cheetahs beat outgoing champions Lions 27-15 in the fifth place playoff tie.

The Sharks will now battle with Rwenzori for the third place as Buffaloes and Sharks duel for the 2009 BRSS crown next weekend at the RFUEA.

On Sunday, 29th March, 2009 we made our way to Ayany in Kibera where we were set to meet the Kenya Youth AIDS Ambassadors group made up of youth living positively with HIV and AIDS.

We turned in, off a tarmac road, to a steep, narrow maram road, which led us downhill passed shacks and stalls on either side of the road. Men, women and children looked on as the big SDV Transami and Kenya Bureau of Standards staff buses cautiously made their way down. The sides of the narrow road had trenches and as if that was not enough, men and women sold their wares on the road while children ran all over the place. There was a deafening silence on our bus. Once in a while someone let out a nervous laugh but that did not quail the anxiety.

No one could hide their relief and joy when we finally got to our destination. We unloaded our gifts and made our way to the shelter where the group waited for us. We delivered enough food stuff to ensure that each member of the group received a month’s supply of maize meal, beans, cooking oil and sugar.

Some of the children performed some poems for us. Their performance was humorous but at the same time thought provoking as they talked about not bowing to peer pressure and lies from people who want to take advantage of us. After this, the leaders spoke briefly to share with us what exactly their support group was all about; providing a pillar and encouragement for people living with HIV and AIDS. Listening to these people you had to admire the structures that they had put in place.

It was soon time to leave but we knew that this was one initiative we wanted to be a part of in future. The positivity of these people left us elated. Though we went there to encourage them, we left uplifted and thankful for the good people of Kenya Youth AIDS Ambassadors group for their great work and the hope that they radiate to the communities around them.

Our next stop was the National Spinal Injury Hospital which is Kenya’s specialised centre for treatment and rehabilitation of citizens with spinal cord injuries and resultant disabilities.

We organised a cleanup of the wards and administration block, and cleaned the grounds using equipment and detergents bought using funds donated by Bamburi Cement Limited and SDV Transami. We also donated a week’s supply of non- pharmaceuticals to the hospital.

This is not the first time that the Bamburi Rugby Super Series and its sponsors have visited the National Spinal Injury Hospital, in fact, we have been doing it for several years now but each time one can’t help but empathise with the patients there. Spinal injuries, we have learnt, most times happen within a fraction of a second. One minute you can walk and feed yourself, the next minute you cannot. It is a lot to take in for patients and their families. There are a lot of changes to come to terms with and we could only admire the patients and staff for their faith and hard work.

By the time we were done at the National Spinal Injury Hospital, we were all physically and emotionally exhausted. We were thankful for the experiences and time shared at the hospital.

The Bamburi Rugby Super Series 2009 thanks Bamburi Cement Limited, SDV Transami and Kenya Bureau of Standards for their immense support in making the tournament’s 2009 Corporate Social Responsibility initiative a success.

Missing the experienced trio of captain Mathias Ochwo (personal reasons), John Musoke (hamstring injury) and Robert Seguya (malaria), a makeshift Rwenzori – still recovering from 14-hour bus ride – struggled to cope with the pace offered by Kenya 7’s stars Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera, Lavin Asego and Sidney Ashioya.

“We gave away too much space in the second half which cost us. Being our first Bamburi tournament, we played well but missing out on the final (next weekend) really hurt,” said Moses Soita, the stand-in skipper.

Rwenzori got off to the worst possible start after fly half Joel Kimuli was sent to the sin-bin after just seven minutes. Tries from Ronald Adigasi, Oscar Kalayango and Jude Kerumundu were eventually insufficient. Kimuli added a penalty and conversion on his return.

The home side made the result certain through second half tries from Allan Makaka and George Mbaye coupled with conversions and a penalty from Jude Thumbi.

This article orginally appeared in the Monitor Online.

Bamburi’s association with the Super Series begun in 2004 when they came aboard as a franchise sponsor. The Lions were the lucky team and the franchise for the 2004 Super Series was then known as the Bamburi Lions. The Lions in true tradition did reach the final where they were humbled by the Cheetahs.

The first time experience of participating in the Super Series seems to have excited senior Bamburi management. Then Marketing Manager Dennis Kashero noted after the 2004 series that this was indeed a tournament with great potential.

Nothing further was said nor discussed till August 2004 during the funeral of the late Hon. Karissa Maitha when Dennis Kashero met with Herbert Mwachiro and Willie Kilimatinde and the discussion of the Super Series came up in Mombasa. After an all night convincing session at Bob’s Bar in Nyali, Kashero acknowledged that the time had come for Bamburi/Lafarge to make a big entry into the Kenyan sporting scene. And what better way than to play a bigger role in the Rugby Super Series as the Title Sponsor.

The coastal air must have been great for the mind as with no hangovers in sight phone calls and meetings started taking place in Nairobi upon the trio’s return. Aggrey Chabeda and the indefatigable French man Emmanuel Maubert came aboard in the Bamburi Super Series drive. Chabeda and Maubert were the face of the Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) as they tirelessly made presentations to Bamburi seeking their commitment for the 2005 Series.

Once this was attained after many weeks of back and forth, the Bamburi Rugby Super Series was born.

With Bamburi officially announcing their sponsorship other corporates then boarded the bus as well. What had Bamburi gotten themselves into as their announcement generated a lot of excitement particularly in the media as their PR machinery went into overdrive selling the Bamburi brand as the new kid on the block associated with rugby. Mary Mueni then Brand Manager quickly assumed the operations mantle and with Kashero at the helm, the Bamburi Rugby Super Series started falling into place quite well. Bamburi’s David Njoroge’s enthusiasm could not be missed for sure as was former international cricketer Tariq Iqbal’s bulk at the games.

Bamburi took up the Lions franchise and rebranded them the Nguvu Lions. The Lions with their sponsor took the tournament with great seriousness and romped into the final brushing all aside. Alas but the final victory was not to be as the Tetra Pak/New KCC Buffaloes stole the cup from the Lions. Overall the tournament was a great success and the numbers watching on telly and at the grounds did not tell a lie.

Come 2006 Mary Mueni took charge from Bamburi’s end and kicked off where they left off in 2005. Having confirmed as title sponsor once again, Bamburi’s name evoked sheer excitement among rugby fans and envy from other corporates who thought they had monopolised rugby in Kenya. Nation Media Group decided they were not being left out of the party and hopped aboard the 2006 Bamburi Rugby Super Series.

Another great tournament it was with NMG media support proving that the tournament indeed moved up another level. With Kashero in transit on his way to Uganda, the then silent lady Sypie Nyinza came aboard the ship and the tournament lived up to its name. The Nguvu Lions did reach the final again and David Njoroge did cry when the trophy was presented to the Cheetahs. The new MD Michel Puchercos however did have a pleasant smile on his face. Maubert too smiled and said farewell to the tournament.

The idea of the Super Series going regional had been toyed around in 2006. This seemed to gain more footing in 2007 when the Buffaloes franchise was relocated to Nakuru. Efforts to get Uganda and Tanzania aboard came a cropper due to finances and logistics did not allow.

With Mueni playing top dog and Sypie in charge of operations the tournament successfully managed to have a ‘regional’ expansion by having all games played in Nakuru during the third weekend.

Nakuru welcomed the Bamburi Rugby Super Series and NMG like a faithful partner tagged along and screened one of the games live to the Kenyan public. The regional dream was still going strong. The Rift Valley had successfully embraced the Rugby Super Series and more importantly Bamburi had left a huge mark on the residents of Nakuru.

The final weekend saw Nguvu Lions matched up with the Rhinos in the final. This time David Njoroge pledged from his own pocket to top up as an incentive to the Nguvu Lions. Kashero flew in from Kampala to see the whether the bridesmaid tag would finally be dropped by the Nguvu franchise. A state of the art Bamburi courtesy tent was set up with all Bamburi’s clients on show to see them finally crown success in totality both off and on the pitch.

With the prize money having been more than doubled the final proved to be an exciting affair. One of the best rugby games played in recent times, the spectators came out in their droves. Nairobi that day only had one event on people’s lips and that was the Bamburi Rugby Super Series Final. The media went overboard that week and the Title Sponsor was definitely not disappointed by the turnout of rugby fans.

David Njoroge ended up keeping his money and needed more hankies to wipe the tears. Dennis Kashero was back in Kampala before midnight. Bob Nyang’aya was indeed left speechless. The bridesmaids had done it again but the then MD Michel Puchercos still had a smile on his face as he awarded the trophy and cheque to the winning Rhinos. Another successful tournament yet again!

2008 saw the tournament take a totally new dimension altogether. The regional dream was finally achieved with Tanzania Twigas joining the Super Series party. Uganda looked like they were in but pulled out at the last minute. The Tanzanians proudly and effectively carried the East African flag into the tournament.

Two games were played in Arusha. These were the first ever Bamburi Super Series games to be played outside Kenya making it a historical moment for the tournament. The Lions and the Cheetahs were hosted by the Twigas. Despite the great home support received, the Twigas ended up second best in both games.

This however did not dampen their enthusiasm as the Twigas strolled into Nairobi with their heads high up for their 5th/6th playoff with the Buffaloes almost upsetting them in the end.

Nevertheless the Tanzanians showed they had arrived and truly belonged to the Bamburi Super Series in its regional form.

On the upper scale the Lions yet again made it to the final where they squared off with defending champions the Rhinos. Lady Luck this time was on the Lions side as they upset a side that had been considered a shoe in for retaining their trophy.

Yes the Lions had finally won the trophy and after four previous attempts. Ironically they won it with a different franchise sponsor. Poor David Njoroge, he must be kicking himself.

The quality of rugby displayed in the 2008 edition was indeed very high. This definitely showed how well prepared the six franchises were.

The tournament again scored a first with the appearance of the first all Kenyan university franchise, the Nguvu Sharks. This exciting franchise made their long awaited debut and did themselves proud by making it to the semi-finals of the 2008 Bamburi Super Series.

The regional drive continues and hopefully 2009 will see Uganda finally join the party. Not only does one look forward to regional economic integration but also sports integration as well. Sport brings people together and once again it’s Bamburi Rugby that’s playing its rightful role and part.

Sport is a lot more than dirty kit, sweaty bodies and broken bones. Sport has within it, the power to entertain and teach, and in the process create avenues for sustainable progression in communities.

In Kenya the Rugby Super Series, brings together top players from the premier rugby clubs in the country and places them in different franchises. For the duration of the five-week long tournament, players from different clubs must learn to put differences aside and play as a team. For five weeks, players must submit to the leadership of someone else other than their own club captain and coach. They learn to respect each other and appreciate each other’s unique contributions to the team because at the end of the day, they need each other to emerge as winners of the tournament. These positive attitudes are then transferred by players to their individual clubs for the remainder of the rugby season, which I venture to suggest, has a lot to do with the genteel nature of your average rugby player.

This is not to say that the Rugby Super Series has been the redeeming feature of Kenyan rugby and its players. Rugby and sports generally does however have the incredible power to transcend borders, ethnicity, and generations. Sport makes it necessary to structure teams and bonding and interaction become inevitable. Sports inspire communication, friendship, healthy living, and good sportsmanship and with it, respect for each other. Sports provide an opportunity for everyone to experience inclusion in a society often marginalised by social, cultural or religious barriers.

Consider football and it enormous following in Kenya. Masses from every corner of Nairobi congregated at the stadium to watch Harambee Stars, the national football team, play a World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe’s “Warriors”. When it was over, chants of “Oliech! Odinga! Obama!” filled the air celebrating a Kenyan win. People of all ages, and tribes joined in. People from all ranks in society leaped in the air celebrating and for that moment, oblivious of the diversity that ordinarily beleaguered our society.

When Jason Dunford came back home, a seven-minute Olympic 100 metres butterfly record holder, no one, despite the racial inferiority complex that many possess , cared about the colour of his skin. What mattered for that moment was that he was an athlete representing his country; Kenya.

Sports create a euphoria that can be channelled towards meeting several goals. Most of the people who attend the Safari Sevens do not understand the game but will diligently attend all three days of the tournament, spending countless hours on their feet for lack of sitting space, to cheer the “Virgin Boys” to victory. Astute executives use such opportunities’ to promote their brands.

What better opportunity to sensitize, mobilise, activate a cause than in a gathering engulfed by cohesiveness? What better setting to drive messages of peace, social justice and community development?

Sports is a means of social growth, which greatly benefits individuals. Self-esteem is raised by the inspiration of being an integral part of a group; being a cog necessary for the successful realisation of an objective. No one wants to exist in isolation. We all get a sense of pride and fulfillment from being part of a team representative of a bigger group. The thought that a community or a country has charged us with representing them instils us with a sense of pride in ourselves and in our community and gives us encouragement to work harder for ourselves and for our communities, and in so doing making us better individuals.

Whether it is a village or a slum with one television powered by a car battery or a family watching sports on cable in the comfort of their home, we are watching the same game, cheering the same team and celebrating the same win, sharing the same experience together albeit apart. What simpler way could there possibly be to effortlessly unite?

We must capitalise on the potential of sports in Kenya. It is the heartbeat of our society so it must be our priority to keep society alive.

The 2008 Rugby Super Series sponsored by Bamburi Cement was an expanded event, featuring six franchises, namely the Buffaloes, Cheetahs, Lions and Rhinos with the new additions being the Sharks made up of Nairobi based universities and the Twigas from Tanzania. The teams were pooled in two groups of three teams each.

POOL 1: Cheetahs, Lions, Twigas
POOL 2: Buffaloes, Rhinos, Sharks

The inclusion of the Twigas from Tanzania saw the RSS spread its wings across the Kenyan border for the first time since its inception in 2003.

MATCH DAY ONE
Match day one saw the Twigas make their RSS debut with a home fixture in Arusha against four time losing finalists, Lions. And what a debut it was! The Twigas were on the receiving end of a 0-65 rout by the Lions in the match played on Saturday 8th March 2008.

In his post match comments, Twigas coach Tinus Aucamp spoke candidly, saying, “we were outplayed in all aspects of the game. It was the first time this season that we ran together as a team, and it will always be
difficult to perform against a well-trained squad which has clearly worked together for a while. “We also made many unforced mistakes, and the Lions’ pack put us under pressure. Our backline received the ball on their back feet. The Kenyans gave a clinical display of fast-running rugby and good support play “We knew from the start it would be difficult, seeing as Kenya club sides are the strongest in East Africa. Losing wasn’t really a surprise, but we expected to give them a good run for their money. Obviously we’re disappointed that we didn’t manage to get some points on the board.”

Lions’ coach Bill Githinji spoke highly of the Twigas, saying, “the Twigas were quite a good side that gave as much as they got. “Perhaps the biggest let down was that they had not trained together enough before the game. The only remedy is to put more effort into building team cohesion by playing together more.”

The other fixture saw the Rhinos beat the Buffaloes 37-8 at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.

MATCH DAY TWO
It was the Sharks’ turn to make their debut in the RSS. They were up against the Rhinos who were gunning for a second successive win that would see them through to the semi finals.

The Rhinos did enough to qualify for the semi finals courtesy of a hard fought 5-3 win against a Sharks side that totally ruffled their structure with the determined defence and hard running that is characteristic of varsity sides.

It is instructive to note that the Sharks missed three easy penalty attempts that would have won them the game. A lucky escape for the Rhinos but a win nonetheless.

The second fixture on match day two saw the perennial bridesmaids Lions take on the Cheetahs.

Previous encounters between these two sides had always been epic clashes. The 2004 and 2006 RSS finals when the Cheetahs overhauled massive deficits to claim the overall title are in the memories of many a rugby fan.

The match was as competitive as they get, the lead changing hands no more than five times between the two sides before the Lions nicked it 18-17, a win that earned them passage to the semi finals.

MATCH DAY THREE
The RSS returned to Arusha, Tanzania where the home side, Twigas played host to the Cheetahs. A win for either side would see them join the table-topping Lions in the semi finals.

The Cheetahs ran off 31-0 winners against the Twigas, though credit should go to the Twigas for putting up a much better defensive performance.

The second match took place at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds. The Sharks got the win they needed to qualify for the semis, running off 35-3; victors against the Buffaloes.

MATCH DAY FOUR
Match day four saw the RSS enter the semi final stage. The playoff for 5th/6th position was the curtain raiser to the semis. Buffaloes played Tanzania’s Twigas at the RFUEA in a match that saw 70 points shared
between the two sides. Buffaloes won the free flowing game 45-25.

The first semi final saw the Lions play the Sharks. The Lions were in pursuit of a fifth successive finals appearance while the rookie Sharks where keen on making an appearance in the final on their RSS debut.

Everything seemed to be going well for the Sharks, they led 9-5 going into the half time break but the more seasoned Lions overhauled this deficit, running off 30-14 winners, securing a record fifth successive RSS finals appearance.

The second match pitted the Rhinos against the Cheetahs. A dominant display from the Rhinos forwards saw them demolish the Cheetahs 39-13, securing a berth in the final.

MATCH DAY FIVE
The first order of business on this day was the 3rd/4th playoff pitting the Cheetahs against debutantes Sharks. The Sharks had a torrid first half, holding on to a 7-0 lead at the interval. They held out to beat the Cheetahs 20-18 and claim third place on their RSS debut.

The second and most important order of business was up next. The RSS title match pitting defending champions Rhinos against four time losing finalists Lions. The buzz around town going into this fixture was that it would be a closely contested match. Rhinos were the pre match favourites by virtue of being the defending champions.

Many in the rugby circles questioned the Lions ability to claim the title, given their legendary propensity to choke at the eleventh hour as witnessed in four consecutive RSS finals losses. The Lions came out guns blazing, pulverizing the Rhinos and the 13-6 lead they took into the half time break was not a fair reflection of
their first half dominance.

They turned on the style in the second half, pumping in twenty points against the Rhinos three. It was a game in which the Lions were dominant while the Rhinos were simply bereft of ideas. The 33-9 score line at the final whistle was just reward for the Lions players and their coach Bill Githinji, who in his maiden season at the Lions helped ended four years of RSS heartache in emphatic fashion.

That was the 2008 Rugby Super Series.

We look forward to more exciting action in the 2009 event.