THE BORDER Bulldogs head into Vodacom Cup battle for the final time this season when they host South West Districts (SWD) at the Buffalo City Stadium this afternoon.
The Bulldogs will be gunning to claim their second win of the Vodacom Cup and wipe away the disappointment of last weekend’s 54-17 drubbing at the hands of the Toyota Free State XV.
“Training has gone well this week,” said Bulldogs head coach Andre Human.
“We are obviously very disappointed about last week, not about the loss but about the defensive performance in the first 60 minutes.”
“It looks like a trend now that we don’t travel well and that is the king of perceptions we are trying to change,” continued Human.
The Bulldogs currently sit bottom of the South section log on four points after winning just one of their five matches.
They sit one point behind the Boland Caviliers and three behind the Tusker Simba XV and EasternProvince Kings.
SWD sit in fourth spot on the table on 16 points with three wins and will be looking to build on their 23-21 victory over the Kings this past weekend.
“My pack knows that tomorrow they have to deliver, they playing against a huge SWD side which in itself is going to be a challenge,” said Human.
“If the pack is up tomorrow and gives the backs front foot ball we will do well.”
Four changes and two positional switches have been made from the team that faced Free State.
In the backline Michael Makase drops to the bench while Siphosenkosi Nofemele shifts to fullback and Lolo Waka comes in at left wing.
Flyhalf Thembani Mkokeli returns to the side and will be looking to get back down to business.
Niell Jacobs thus drops to the bench and Fort Hare flyhalf Oliver Zono drops out of the match 22 despite looking sharp off the bench in his debut last week.
Ex-SWD Inside centre Jeffrey Taljard has however not recovered from his injury concerns.
For the forwards, influential Border stalwart Gareth Krause has recovered from his niggle that kept him out last weekend and returns to eighthman.
This sees Bonga Mntunjani drop completely out of the match 22 as the Bulldogs keep the same utility forwards from the Free State game on the bench.
At hooker, Mihlali Mpafi drops out of the match 22 with Blake Kyd switching to hooker and Yanga Xakalashe comes in at loose-head prop.
Border Bulldogs starting XV is: Siphosenkosi Nofemele; Makazole Mapimpi, Lundi Ralarala, Lithabile Mgwadleka, Lolo Waka; Thembani Mkokeli; Mario Noordman, Gareth Krause, Siya Mdaka (capt), Onke Dubase, Wayne Lemely, Lindokuhle Welemu, Johannes Jonker, Blake Kyd, Yanga Xakalashe.
Reserves: Ludwe Booi, Siya Ngande, Wandile Putuma, Nkosikhona Nofuma, Bangihlombe Kobese, Niell Jacobs, Michael Makase.
Bulldogs in mean mood ahead of crucial clash
The Bulldogs will be gunning to claim their second win of the Vodacom Cup and wipe away the disappointment of last weekend’s 54-17 drubbing at the hands of the Toyota Free State XV.
“Training has gone well this week,” said Bulldogs head coach Andre Human.
“We are obviously very disappointed about last week, not about the loss but about the defensive performance in the first 60 minutes.”
“It looks like a trend now that we don’t travel well and that is the king of perceptions we are trying to change,” continued Human.
The Bulldogs currently sit bottom of the South section log on four points after winning just one of their five matches.
They sit one point behind the Boland Caviliers and three behind the Tusker Simba XV and EasternProvince Kings.
SWD sit in fourth spot on the table on 16 points with three wins and will be looking to build on their 23-21 victory over the Kings this past weekend.
“My pack knows that tomorrow they have to deliver, they playing against a huge SWD side which in itself is going to be a challenge,” said Human.
“If the pack is up tomorrow and gives the backs front foot ball we will do well.”
Four changes and two positional switches have been made from the team that faced Free State.
In the backline Michael Makase drops to the bench while Siphosenkosi Nofemele shifts to fullback and Lolo Waka comes in at left wing.
Flyhalf Thembani Mkokeli returns to the side and will be looking to get back down to business.
Niell Jacobs thus drops to the bench and Fort Hare flyhalf Oliver Zono drops out of the match 22 despite looking sharp off the bench in his debut last week.
Ex-SWD Inside centre Jeffrey Taljard has however not recovered from his injury concerns.
For the forwards, influential Border stalwart Gareth Krause has recovered from his niggle that kept him out last weekend and returns to eighthman.
This sees Bonga Mntunjani drop completely out of the match 22 as the Bulldogs keep the same utility forwards from the Free State game on the bench.
At hooker, Mihlali Mpafi drops out of the match 22 with Blake Kyd switching to hooker and Yanga Xakalashe comes in at loose-head prop.
Border Bulldogs starting XV is: Siphosenkosi Nofemele; Makazole Mapimpi, Lundi Ralarala, Lithabile Mgwadleka, Lolo Waka; Thembani Mkokeli; Mario Noordman, Gareth Krause, Siya Mdaka (capt), Onke Dubase, Wayne Lemely, Lindokuhle Welemu, Johannes Jonker, Blake Kyd, Yanga Xakalashe.
Reserves: Ludwe Booi, Siya Ngande, Wandile Putuma, Nkosikhona Nofuma, Bangihlombe Kobese, Niell Jacobs, Michael Makase.
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