An unchanged Border Bulldogs match XV has been named to take on the Eastern Province Kings in their Currie Cup qualification match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
It will undoubtedly be a boost to the side that the same players who beat the Sharks last weekend are still fit and available allowing them to build some momentum.
“I am extremely happy to be able to name the same team for the Kings match because as a coach you are always looking for continuity and that the guys are fit and don’t have niggles is great,” Bulldogs coach Elliot Fana said.
“I believe this is the strongest team that we are fielding, these guys have been doing the business for the past 14 days so we don’t want to be changing too much.”
The Border players are pumped up and excited and looking forward to the battle against the Kings, following their big wins over the Lions and the Sharks over consecutive weekends.
“As a team we have grown in confidence, when you are doing well confidence takes care of itself,” said Fana.
“However we need to guard against overconfidence, because if you start doing that you will start winning the game before even getting on the field and that is a dangerous thing to do. So the players are ready for the game but they must not get ahead of themselves.”
With the Kings naming another young team to play the Bulldogs, the team from Nelson Mandela Bay will be eager to impress and will also want to claim a much-needed victory after they lost the first two games of the season.
They could therefore be a dangerous prospect as they will want to do well at home in front of their home fans, especially with the game being a curtain-raiser to the Super Rugby match between the Lions and Kings, that will no doubt add to the occasion.
“We respect the Kings team, most of these guys have graduated from the U19 side that won the Currie Cup last year and are very good prospects for the future,” said Fana.
“As far as I am concerned they are a very good team and I don’t read too much into the results that did not go their way into the first two games at all.”
For the Border players they will be looking to enjoy a rest day today, before they head up to Port Elizabeth tomorrow to settle in and be ready for the big match on Saturday.
“I think this break has come at the right time for the guys and they will enjoy taking the day off to take their minds off rugby and just recharge, so that they are fresh and ready for the weekend’s game,” said Fana.
Border squad: 15 Masixole Banda; 14 Makazole Mapimpi (v-capt), 13 Sonwabiso Mqalo, 12 Siphosethu Tom, 11 Michael Makase, 10 Oliver Zono, 9 Bangi Kobese, 8 Billy Dutton, 7 Siya Mdaka (capt), 6 Athenkosi Manentsa, 5 Wandile Putuma, 4 Lindokuhle Welemu, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Mihlali Mpafi and 1 Blake Kyd
Reserves: 16 Ludwe Booi, 17 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 18 Siya Ngande, 19 Hendri Storm, 20 Lukhanyo Nomzanga, 21 Zukisani Yywaleni, 22 Nkululeko Ndovu
Bulldogs out to run full steam at the Bay
It will undoubtedly be a boost to the side that the same players who beat the Sharks last weekend are still fit and available allowing them to build some momentum.
“I am extremely happy to be able to name the same team for the Kings match because as a coach you are always looking for continuity and that the guys are fit and don’t have niggles is great,” Bulldogs coach Elliot Fana said.
“I believe this is the strongest team that we are fielding, these guys have been doing the business for the past 14 days so we don’t want to be changing too much.”
The Border players are pumped up and excited and looking forward to the battle against the Kings, following their big wins over the Lions and the Sharks over consecutive weekends.
“As a team we have grown in confidence, when you are doing well confidence takes care of itself,” said Fana.
“However we need to guard against overconfidence, because if you start doing that you will start winning the game before even getting on the field and that is a dangerous thing to do. So the players are ready for the game but they must not get ahead of themselves.”
With the Kings naming another young team to play the Bulldogs, the team from Nelson Mandela Bay will be eager to impress and will also want to claim a much-needed victory after they lost the first two games of the season.
They could therefore be a dangerous prospect as they will want to do well at home in front of their home fans, especially with the game being a curtain-raiser to the Super Rugby match between the Lions and Kings, that will no doubt add to the occasion.
“We respect the Kings team, most of these guys have graduated from the U19 side that won the Currie Cup last year and are very good prospects for the future,” said Fana.
“As far as I am concerned they are a very good team and I don’t read too much into the results that did not go their way into the first two games at all.”
For the Border players they will be looking to enjoy a rest day today, before they head up to Port Elizabeth tomorrow to settle in and be ready for the big match on Saturday.
“I think this break has come at the right time for the guys and they will enjoy taking the day off to take their minds off rugby and just recharge, so that they are fresh and ready for the weekend’s game,” said Fana.
Border squad: 15 Masixole Banda; 14 Makazole Mapimpi (v-capt), 13 Sonwabiso Mqalo, 12 Siphosethu Tom, 11 Michael Makase, 10 Oliver Zono, 9 Bangi Kobese, 8 Billy Dutton, 7 Siya Mdaka (capt), 6 Athenkosi Manentsa, 5 Wandile Putuma, 4 Lindokuhle Welemu, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Mihlali Mpafi and 1 Blake Kyd
Reserves: 16 Ludwe Booi, 17 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 18 Siya Ngande, 19 Hendri Storm, 20 Lukhanyo Nomzanga, 21 Zukisani Yywaleni, 22 Nkululeko Ndovu
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos