A confident Border semi-professional team will be getting back to business as they resume their Sunfoil 3-Day Cup campaign against KwaZulu- Natal in Durban today.
Border, who haven’t played a competitive match in over a month, will want to continue from where they left off – recording a big win in their previous outing in early December.
With the Sunfoil table beginning to take shape it will be important for Border to get a positive result from the Durban game if they want to mount a challenge in the competition.
“This is a very important game for us, because if we can get maximum points here we can actually challenge for a final spot in the three-day competition,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
Border sit fifth in Pool A on the log, while KZN are a further two places adrift in last place.
Border, however, have a game in hand over every team in their pool, and two games over the top- placed North West team.
In Border’s previous match in December, they recorded a seven-wicket win over Easterns at Buffalo Park, with their bowlers, in fantastic form, setting up the win – and they will be looking to them to continue their good work.
Border’s batsmen will also look to cash in, having come to the fore in recent games. They will be aiming to put in a good first-innings effort to ease the pressure on the team.
“The batters have been looking very good in the nets and the bowlers as always very disciplined, so I am happy where we are in terms of our skills” said Plaatjes. “I think we have enough experience and the guys are keen to do well, so I am expecting a good game.”
KZN will be desperate to win, having claimed only one win alongside three draws and three losses this season.
In their previous outing, against Free State in Durban last week, KZN suffered a thumping 154-run defeat and the team will not want a repeat result.
“I am expecting a different team to play against us, as with the Dolphins not playing a few of the more senior players may make their way back into the KZN side,” said Plaatjes.
The Border team will be relatively unchanged from the side for most of the competition. However, they will be without Somila Seyibokwe who was injured on Warriors duty and Aya Gqamane who is being rested.
Gionne Koopman will be back fresh from his maiden Sunfoil Series outing with the Warriors last week, and should be buoyed by that experience.
“The team is looking fit and ready; we have no injury concerns and we are in a very good space as a team,” said Plaatjes.
The match will get under way this morning, and Border will then battle it out with KZN in a one- day challenge match on Sunday.
Border Squad: Vuyisa Makhaphela, Gionne Koopman, Burton De Wett, Martin Walters, Darryl Brown, Marco Marais, Abongile Sodumo (c), Thandolwethu Mnyaka, Papama Fojela, Yanda Pangabantu, Jongile Kilani, Lundi Mbane, Jerry Nqolo.
Vital game for sparking Border
Border, who haven’t played a competitive match in over a month, will want to continue from where they left off – recording a big win in their previous outing in early December.
With the Sunfoil table beginning to take shape it will be important for Border to get a positive result from the Durban game if they want to mount a challenge in the competition.
“This is a very important game for us, because if we can get maximum points here we can actually challenge for a final spot in the three-day competition,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
Border sit fifth in Pool A on the log, while KZN are a further two places adrift in last place.
Border, however, have a game in hand over every team in their pool, and two games over the top- placed North West team.
In Border’s previous match in December, they recorded a seven-wicket win over Easterns at Buffalo Park, with their bowlers, in fantastic form, setting up the win – and they will be looking to them to continue their good work.
Border’s batsmen will also look to cash in, having come to the fore in recent games. They will be aiming to put in a good first-innings effort to ease the pressure on the team.
“The batters have been looking very good in the nets and the bowlers as always very disciplined, so I am happy where we are in terms of our skills” said Plaatjes. “I think we have enough experience and the guys are keen to do well, so I am expecting a good game.”
KZN will be desperate to win, having claimed only one win alongside three draws and three losses this season.
In their previous outing, against Free State in Durban last week, KZN suffered a thumping 154-run defeat and the team will not want a repeat result.
“I am expecting a different team to play against us, as with the Dolphins not playing a few of the more senior players may make their way back into the KZN side,” said Plaatjes.
The Border team will be relatively unchanged from the side for most of the competition. However, they will be without Somila Seyibokwe who was injured on Warriors duty and Aya Gqamane who is being rested.
Gionne Koopman will be back fresh from his maiden Sunfoil Series outing with the Warriors last week, and should be buoyed by that experience.
“The team is looking fit and ready; we have no injury concerns and we are in a very good space as a team,” said Plaatjes.
The match will get under way this morning, and Border will then battle it out with KZN in a one- day challenge match on Sunday.
Border Squad: Vuyisa Makhaphela, Gionne Koopman, Burton De Wett, Martin Walters, Darryl Brown, Marco Marais, Abongile Sodumo (c), Thandolwethu Mnyaka, Papama Fojela, Yanda Pangabantu, Jongile Kilani, Lundi Mbane, Jerry Nqolo.
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