Border Bulldogs will be hoping to record their first victory of the Currie Cup First Division 2015 season when they meet Boland tonight at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London.
Their coach Elliot Fana was “convinced” of victory against Boland, adding that his sentiments were shared by his players.
The Bulldogs have been suffering repeated blemishes in the First Division this year.
In fact, their last win was during the Currie Cup qualifiers against Boland away from home.
The East London provincial outfit got their first win of 2015 at the expense of the Cape side in the Vodacom Cup early this year.
But of late, Border have developed a tendency of complacency when playing against the so-called small unions like Boland while dishing their best performances against the big unions like Leopards.
Fana dismissed this, saying they approached every match with the intention to win and that they respect all opponents. Tonight, said Fana, Bulldogs will have to work as hard as they did during their narrow 32-30 loss to top of the log Leopards.
According to him, as long as his charges keep ball in hands and exert pressure on their opponents, finishing the season of lows on a high is guaranteed.
“We are confident of a win and really that has been the spirit in the camp during the week,” said Fana.
“We just cannot finish the season without a win. At least finishing on a high will give our fans something to smile about.
“I think this match will produce many tries because both teams play with the ball in hand.”
Although Fana emphasised that teamwork was key he singled out players like flyhalf Oliver Zono and match-day captain Siya Mdaka among those expected to be impact players on the day.
Border has mostly played the same players all season which, according to Fana, illustrates the consistency in the team.
One though would wonder if their consistency is a good or bad thing. Results that are not forthcoming point to the latter.
Fana also emphasised that it was of utmost importance to look beyond tonight’s match.
Key to his mission going to next season would be to hold on to the same players and rather consider bringing more to beef up on certain positions like lock and tighthead prop.
Perhaps Border should look no further than Old Selbornians rugby club and Police rugby for new recruits. The two are the best club sides at Border but shockingly none of their players features in the colours of the provincial side.
“I foresee a next season that will be better than this season, as long as we manage to hold on to the same players if not most because any loss of players means Border will be building forever.”
It appears Fana is going to have headaches because Border is historically the breeding ground of African rugby players where big rugby franchises come to harvest.
The Daily Dispatch has been reliably informed that Border inside centre Lukhanyo Am has been snatched by the Sharks for next year. Fana could not deny nor confirm this.
The match tonight starts at 7pm.
Bulldogs set to snap out of rut
Their coach Elliot Fana was “convinced” of victory against Boland, adding that his sentiments were shared by his players.
The Bulldogs have been suffering repeated blemishes in the First Division this year.
In fact, their last win was during the Currie Cup qualifiers against Boland away from home.
The East London provincial outfit got their first win of 2015 at the expense of the Cape side in the Vodacom Cup early this year.
But of late, Border have developed a tendency of complacency when playing against the so-called small unions like Boland while dishing their best performances against the big unions like Leopards.
Fana dismissed this, saying they approached every match with the intention to win and that they respect all opponents. Tonight, said Fana, Bulldogs will have to work as hard as they did during their narrow 32-30 loss to top of the log Leopards.
According to him, as long as his charges keep ball in hands and exert pressure on their opponents, finishing the season of lows on a high is guaranteed.
“We are confident of a win and really that has been the spirit in the camp during the week,” said Fana.
“We just cannot finish the season without a win. At least finishing on a high will give our fans something to smile about.
“I think this match will produce many tries because both teams play with the ball in hand.”
Although Fana emphasised that teamwork was key he singled out players like flyhalf Oliver Zono and match-day captain Siya Mdaka among those expected to be impact players on the day.
Border has mostly played the same players all season which, according to Fana, illustrates the consistency in the team.
One though would wonder if their consistency is a good or bad thing. Results that are not forthcoming point to the latter.
Fana also emphasised that it was of utmost importance to look beyond tonight’s match.
Key to his mission going to next season would be to hold on to the same players and rather consider bringing more to beef up on certain positions like lock and tighthead prop.
Perhaps Border should look no further than Old Selbornians rugby club and Police rugby for new recruits. The two are the best club sides at Border but shockingly none of their players features in the colours of the provincial side.
“I foresee a next season that will be better than this season, as long as we manage to hold on to the same players if not most because any loss of players means Border will be building forever.”
It appears Fana is going to have headaches because Border is historically the breeding ground of African rugby players where big rugby franchises come to harvest.
The Daily Dispatch has been reliably informed that Border inside centre Lukhanyo Am has been snatched by the Sharks for next year. Fana could not deny nor confirm this.
The match tonight starts at 7pm.
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