The twelve teams in contention for the Rugby Championship are starting to solidify their places ahead of the much-anticipated knockouts and it doesn’t get bigger than this weekend.
The Platinum Credit Heathens are walking into Kampala Rugby Club to face eternal foes, KCB KOBs, for the second edition of the Lions Cup this rugby calendar, in a clash that shadows all in the eighth round.
According to Isa metrics, the table-leading Heathens will walk out coach Muhammad Athiyo for his 120th game in charge of the side, and against a worthy foe, against whom he’s won 9, lost 6, and drawn once.
The 2022 Champions, Heathens, have enjoyed better form this year, sitting in first place, while the KOBs are tightening the loose bolts in their machine and find themselves in fourth place with two losses, one draw, and four wins.
It is form uncharacteristic of the 2021 Champions, KOBs, but they will be buoyed by their young core that is starting to gel and firing them over the gainline.
“We have all the momentum on our end, and are ready to take on KOBs on Saturday and beat them,” said an upbeat captain Trevor Ochan in a media interview.
It’ll be a battle of bruisers as Saul Kivumbi, Derrick Tukwasibwe and former yellow machine Mike Otto lead the Blue Army against Heathens’ Champara, Odoch Morgan, and the veteran Scott Oluoch in the forwards.
Elsewhere in the Rugby Championship
The plan to avoid the relegation battle is set to hit another iceberg for the Rams as they face the free-flowing Jinja Hippos in what is touted as a lopsided battle.
The Impis hope to improve their chances with a relegation dogfight against new boys Kampani’s Eagles. The Warriors, the other side in the relegation zone, travel to Walukuba to play Gift Wokorach’s Barbarians.
The Pirates make the journey from Bweyogerere to play Toyota Buffaloes, while the Plascon Mongers host the free-falling Rhinos in Entebbe.
All games kickoff at 4:00PM.
Courtesy Photos
