The inaugural Carling Champions Match was played in front of a capacity crowd (2000) between the Carling Champions team and the national side from Kenya. As expected the Carling Champions team scored a runaway victory with 85-17.
A brilliant initiative by Carling Black Label resulted in a team selected by the South African public playing against the national team of Kenya, resulting in some brilliant running rugby.
Unfortunately, the difference in the quality was evident, however, the Kenyan side who were willing to run at every opportunity will definately benefit with eposure like this match.
01:19 Barend Smit scored Carling Champions first try of the match from a 5m lineout-maul (07-00).
03:19 Reniel Hugo gathered a clever grubber to score the Carling Champions' second try (14-00).
08:02 Schalk Erasmus scored the Carling Champions 3rd try, 2nd from a 5m lineout-maul (19-00).
20:00 The Carling Champions are controlling the match in all aspects keeping Kenya pinned in their half with repeated attack phase play resulting in scoring opportunities.
25:49 Arno Botha scored the Carling Champions' 4th finishing off a great movement on the wing (24-00).
30:25 A brilliant individual try by Keagan Johannes sniping down the sideline (31-00).
34:27 Jone Tavanga finished off a great break through the middle to score Kenia's first try (31-07).
37:12 Aronos Coetzee scored the Catling Champions' 5th try in the corner (38-07).
39:42 Stedman Gans scored a try just before the break. Werner Kok broke through the middle to put Gans away. (45-10).
40:00 The first half belonged to the Carling Champions who built up a good lead on the scoreboard. However, they took the foot off the pedal for a bit towards the end of the half allowing Kenya to get into their quarter and score a converted try.
42:34 Phumzile Maqondwana bursts over the try line after repeated phase attacks by the Carling Champions in the Kenya quarter. (52-10).
54:09 Keagan Johannes scored his 2nd try (59-10)
56:10 Nama Xaba scored after some great interplay between the back and forwards of the Carling Champions team (66-10)
60:35 Brian Tanga scored Kenya's 2nd try after some great interplay by the Kenyans after their hosts dropped a ball on their 10m line (66-17)
The Carling Champions side still dominate play, however, the Kenyan team seemed to find their feet to a certain extent. If and when the visitors get their hand on some quality ball they attack with purpose and aggression.
64:13 Phumzile Maqondwana forced his way over the tryline to extend the Champions Team lead to 71-07.
73:58 Reniel Hugo scored his second try (78-17)
Scorers:
Carling Champions: Tries: Barend Smit, Reniel Hugo (2), Schalk Erasmus, Arno Botha, Keagan Johannes (2), Aronos Coetzee, Stedman Gans, Phumzile Maqondwana (2), Nama Xaba. Conversions: Brandon Thompson (5), George Whitehead (4).
Kenya: Tries: Jone Tavanga, Brian Tanga. Conversion: Jone Tavanga. Penalty: Jone Tavanga
Carling Champions: 15. Sibongile Novuka, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Chris Smit, 12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Brandon Thomson, 9. Keagan Johannes, 8. Arno Botha, 7. Phumzile Maqondwana, 6. Nama Xaba, 5. Reniel Hugo, 4. PJ Steenkamp, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Schalk Erasmus, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mhleli Dlamini, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Stedman Gans
Kenya Simbas: 15. Darwin Kinyangi, 14. Jacob Ojee, 13. Vincent Onyala, 12. John Okeyo, 11. Brian Tanga, 10. Jone Tavanga, 9. Samuel Asati, 8. Stephen Jumah, 7. Daniel Sikuta, 6. Joshua Chisanga, 5. Joshua Chisanga, 4. Malcolm Mamboleo, 3. Patrick Ouko, 2. Eugene Fifuna, 1. Ian Karanja. Replacements: 16. Bonface Ochieng, 17. Andrew Siminyu, 18. Melvin Mumbi, 19. Bethwel Muteshi, 20. Fidel Oloo, 21. Barry Young, 22. Derrick Ashihundu, 23. Matoka Matoka.