WP capture Kenyan Sevens star
WESTERN PROVINCE are going to unleash another Sevens star in the Currie Cup after they secured the services of Kenyan speedster William Ambaka Ndayara for the season.
The powerful outside back, who is known as Willy Ambaka, will bolster the stock of wings for Province following the departure of Bryan Habana and Gerhard van den Heever, and more recently Gio Aplon. Sailosi Tagicakibau, who was on loan at the Stormers this season from London Irish, will not feature in the Currie Cup.
“We first heard about Willy through Jerome Paarwater, who has been working with the Kenyan 15-a-side team and very nearly helped them qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup,” Gert Smal, Western Province’s Director of Rugby, told wprugby.com.
“Our Western Province selection played against Willy and the Kenyan side in Nairobi in June and, of course, we have done plenty of research on him on top of that.
“He is a strong runner with plenty of pace and tremendous aerial skills. He’s an exciting addition to our ranks.
“Willy is also a true professional, who is looking forward to joining Western Province and being a part of the exciting brand of rugby being played here at Newlands.”
The 24-year-old Ambaka, who weighs 100kg and stands 1.95 metres tall, has been a star performer for Kenya on the Sevens circuit since making his debut for his country in the 2011 season.
He also represented Kenya at the recent Commonwealth Games Sevens, and was one of three nominees for the prestigious IRB Sevens Player of the Year Award last year.
He also spent this European season at French club Lyon Olympique Universitaire, where he operated as a centre and a wing.
“We are looking forward to Willy’s arrival next week and can’t wait to get him up to speed and playing for Western Province during the Currie Cup,” Smal added.
Ambaka will be competing with Seabelo Senatla and Cheslin Kolbe for a place in the WP starting line-up over the next few months.
However, with the expected Springbok call-ups for Jean de Villiers and Damian de Allende, it may be a good idea for WP to move fullback Jaco Taute to outside centre to partner Juan de Jongh and move the dangerous Kolbe to No 15.
This will open up space for Province coach Allister Coetzee to pick both Senatla and Ambaka on the wings.