NAIROBI, Kenya, April 28- Kenya Rugby Union is talks with International Rugby Board (IRB) to have the national team play two test matches ahead of their 2014 defence of their African title in Madagascar.
The team that returned from their two-month tour of South Africa where they featured in the Vodacom Cup will take on Portugal, ranked 24th in the world, on June 7 and 11 in Nairobi as the side bids to qualify for a first ever Rugby World Cup next year by winning the continental Division 1A tournament.
“Consultations with the IRB are on for the team to play two top class rugby Tests before heading to Madagascar.
“This is historic. Outside Namibia (22nd) Zimbabwe (31st), Kenya (32nd) has never played such a reputable rugby nation and these will actually be the first ever real rugby Tests with an overseas opponent,” Muthee said at a welcome dinner for the side in Nairobi.
“The task down in South Africa was to prepare for the forthcoming 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Madagascar in June,” the chair added.
Muthee expressed gratitude to Western Province and the South Africa rugby unions for hosting the national side and facilitating their participation in the Vodacom Cup.
“We are negotiating with SARU so that we can remain in the Vodacom Cup next year and possibly permanently. And in this regard we extend welcome to sponsors so that some of our matches can actually be hosted in Nairobi,” the chair underscored.
