South African Ntabeni Dukisa will be eligible to play for the Kenya Simbas in the forthcoming Elgon Cup against Uganda scheduled for November.
Dukisa has benefited from the World Rugby residency rule, where foreign players who have played in a country can change allegiance from country of birth to country of residence.
He was called up to the Simbas squad last year but could not feature due to the residency rules.
Dukisa, who has been plying his trade for Kabras since 2021, meets the requirements, according to Kenya Simbas team manager, Jimmi Mnene.
World Rugby have amended the rules which previously stated that the players must have played in the country for five years.
The South African becomes the second player to play for the Simbas after Fijian Jone Kubu who made his debut for the Simbas in 2021 having played for Kabras since 2016.
Dukisa has been an integral player for the Sugar Millers, who have won the Kenya Cup and Enterprise trophies for the past three seasons.
They have also gone unbeaten in the last two years in the league, solidifying their case as the best rugby club in the country.
The club has also provided the bulk of players to the Simbas squad for the past couple of years alongside rivals KCB.
He is a utility player and can play full-back, flyhalf or wing. He had spells with various South African teams including Border Bulldogs, Griffons, Eastern Province Kings, Griquas, Southern Kings and Eastern Province Elephants
The South African Barbarians have capped Dukisa, who will be a boost for the Simbas, who struggled in the playmaking position and the tactical kicking during the recent Africa Cup in Uganda.
"The Africa Cup performance was not good preparation. We did not do enough to get the team in peak condition in tactical kicking and our kick chase strategy. So having players of the Dukisa calibre as well as Jone Kubu alongside Barry Robinson gives us options and helps our playmaking from scrum-half to fly-half and fullback,” added Mnene
The Kenya Simbas squad are set to assemble mid-next month to start preparation for the two-legged showdown against Uganda.
The Simbas will be keen to send a statement to the noisy neighbours ahead of the Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Kampala next year.
Mnene is keen to see Simbas also play African champions Zimbabwe as part of the November test window later in the year.
