The Border Bulldogs are looking not only to bark at but to bite the somewhat toothless Sharks hard when the two sides collide at the Buffalo City Stadium tonight.
Border are brimming with confidence following their extraordinary victory against the Lions last week, while the KwaZulu-Natal side are desperate to bounce back having been murdered by Boland in their opener.
History favours the Sharks who have been winning convincingly against the East London team.
A case in point are results from the past three years in the Vodacom Cup. The Sharks in 2013 hammered Border by 72-6 before a 46-26 drubbing a year later and 53-0 last year.
But nothing lasts forever as Border proved with the 27-23 sweet victory against Lions – their break after 35 years of trying.
Border head coach Elliot Fana said they were positive victory was on the cards tonight.
“However, it is important that we learn from the past where we have had some big wins against formidable opponents, only to lose badly a week later,” cautioned Fana.
“We need to have some consistency and maintain the good start we showed last weekend by leaving no room for complacency.”
Bulldogs have made two changes from the previous match’s starting 15. At right centre, Sonwabiso Mqalo comes in for Lundi Ralarala and Nkosikhona Nofuma makes way for Athenkosi Manentsa at left flank. Both are out injured and Fana expressed confidence in their replacements.
Fana shrugged off potential effects the changes may have on the rhythm and momentum of the team.
“It will not really affect us because Mqalo, for instance, has been knocking at the door and finally the door has opened for him to prove what he can give to the team,” said Fana.
“The same is the case with Manentsa who came in from the bench last weekend but this time he gets to start.
“Their inclusion actually helps us to see what every player in the squad can give and the more players get to play the better for the team.”
The Bulldogs will need to focus. The Sharks will be out for revenge having lost against the East London-based provincial side in a warm up match not long ago.
Sharks head coach, Michael Horak will request a more clinical performance from his charges, as he is well aware of the danger posed by the Border who go into the match as underdogs.
“Border pose a real threat in this competition and we know how good they are. They will be high on confidence after their win against the Lions,” Horak told his club’s website.
Horak has made a few changes to his squad that played against Boland, which was necessitated by the loss of players to the Super Rugby Cell C Sharks touring squad or to injury.
In the front row, Ruan Kramer moves to the bench to make way for Gerhard Engelbrecht, who starts at tighthead.
At lock, Dave McDuling, who was named on the bench last week, gets a start ahead of Wian Vosloo.
Among the loose-forwards, Christiaan de Bruin starts in place of the injured Johan du Toit.
With S’bura Sithole currently on tour with the Super Rugby team, Neil Maritz moves to right wing and Nkululeko Marwana moves into the starting line-up at left wing.
Barend Potgieter, Rowan Gouws and Marius Louw are the new additions to the team for this clash.
Commenting on his team, Horak said: “We really looking forward to the game and are excited about the challenge.
“We’re determined to play an exciting brand of rugby and I’m looking for an improved performance from our highly talented young team.”
SQUADS
Border: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Sonwabiso Mqalo, 12 Siphosethu Tom, 11 Mike Makase, 10 Oliver Zono, 9 Bangi Kobese, 8 Billy Dutton, 7 Siya Mdaka, 6 Athenkosi Manentsa, 5 Wandile Putuma, 4 Lindo Welemu, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Mihlali Mpafi and 1 Blake Kyd.
Sharks: 15 Alrin Eksteen, 14 Neil Maritz, 13 Wandile Mjekevu, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Nkululeko Marwana, 10 Inny-Christian Radebe, 9 Dylan Marcus, 8 Retief Marais, 7 Christian de Bruin, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 4 Dave McDuling, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Andrew du Plessis and 1 Mzamo Majola. — Additional reporting by www.sharksrugby.co.za
BULLDOGS READY TO FIRE
Border are brimming with confidence following their extraordinary victory against the Lions last week, while the KwaZulu-Natal side are desperate to bounce back having been murdered by Boland in their opener.
History favours the Sharks who have been winning convincingly against the East London team.
A case in point are results from the past three years in the Vodacom Cup. The Sharks in 2013 hammered Border by 72-6 before a 46-26 drubbing a year later and 53-0 last year.
But nothing lasts forever as Border proved with the 27-23 sweet victory against Lions – their break after 35 years of trying.
Border head coach Elliot Fana said they were positive victory was on the cards tonight.
“However, it is important that we learn from the past where we have had some big wins against formidable opponents, only to lose badly a week later,” cautioned Fana.
“We need to have some consistency and maintain the good start we showed last weekend by leaving no room for complacency.”
Bulldogs have made two changes from the previous match’s starting 15. At right centre, Sonwabiso Mqalo comes in for Lundi Ralarala and Nkosikhona Nofuma makes way for Athenkosi Manentsa at left flank. Both are out injured and Fana expressed confidence in their replacements.
Fana shrugged off potential effects the changes may have on the rhythm and momentum of the team.
“It will not really affect us because Mqalo, for instance, has been knocking at the door and finally the door has opened for him to prove what he can give to the team,” said Fana.
“The same is the case with Manentsa who came in from the bench last weekend but this time he gets to start.
“Their inclusion actually helps us to see what every player in the squad can give and the more players get to play the better for the team.”
The Bulldogs will need to focus. The Sharks will be out for revenge having lost against the East London-based provincial side in a warm up match not long ago.
Sharks head coach, Michael Horak will request a more clinical performance from his charges, as he is well aware of the danger posed by the Border who go into the match as underdogs.
“Border pose a real threat in this competition and we know how good they are. They will be high on confidence after their win against the Lions,” Horak told his club’s website.
Horak has made a few changes to his squad that played against Boland, which was necessitated by the loss of players to the Super Rugby Cell C Sharks touring squad or to injury.
In the front row, Ruan Kramer moves to the bench to make way for Gerhard Engelbrecht, who starts at tighthead.
At lock, Dave McDuling, who was named on the bench last week, gets a start ahead of Wian Vosloo.
Among the loose-forwards, Christiaan de Bruin starts in place of the injured Johan du Toit.
With S’bura Sithole currently on tour with the Super Rugby team, Neil Maritz moves to right wing and Nkululeko Marwana moves into the starting line-up at left wing.
Barend Potgieter, Rowan Gouws and Marius Louw are the new additions to the team for this clash.
Commenting on his team, Horak said: “We really looking forward to the game and are excited about the challenge.
“We’re determined to play an exciting brand of rugby and I’m looking for an improved performance from our highly talented young team.”
SQUADS
Border: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Sonwabiso Mqalo, 12 Siphosethu Tom, 11 Mike Makase, 10 Oliver Zono, 9 Bangi Kobese, 8 Billy Dutton, 7 Siya Mdaka, 6 Athenkosi Manentsa, 5 Wandile Putuma, 4 Lindo Welemu, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Mihlali Mpafi and 1 Blake Kyd.
Sharks: 15 Alrin Eksteen, 14 Neil Maritz, 13 Wandile Mjekevu, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Nkululeko Marwana, 10 Inny-Christian Radebe, 9 Dylan Marcus, 8 Retief Marais, 7 Christian de Bruin, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 4 Dave McDuling, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Andrew du Plessis and 1 Mzamo Majola. — Additional reporting by www.sharksrugby.co.za
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