By ZINGISA MVUMVU
#WhereisOliverZono will be the question Border Bulldogs followers will be pondering as the flyhalf has been left out of the Border squad to face the Blue Bulls tomorrow.
The match will be the second in succession that Zono did not even make the bench for Border.
Zono, whose exclusion suggests he has fallen out of favour with the Border technical team, has left tongues wagging in local rugby circles. He missed out in last week’s Border victory against the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias of Namibia and will be watching from the stands once again tomorrow.
In at flyhalf this time, just like last week, is Masixole Banda who was playing at fullback for the better part of the season.
Border head coach Elliot Fana has come out in defence of the decision to drop Zono.
“The truth is Oliver Zono is out of form, in fact he has been for quite some time now and that is why he was dropped,” said Fana.
“Banda brings a different dimension because we want to speed up our game. The advantage with Banda again is dual-duties play.”
According to Fana, Zono remained a brilliant player and his unceremonious exclusion was not personal but based on his performance which the coach feels has dropped.
Also a debutant, coming off the bench for Border will be scrumhalf Sinovuyo Nyoka who recently joined the East London side from Falcons.
At this very position, Zukisani Tywaleni has dropped completely out of matchday squad with Bangi Kobese getting the nod to start.
Fana said there were serious problems at flyhalf and scrumhalf in the Border fold.
“That is why we are trying different players to address our challenges in this position because we have been struggling.”
Border squad:
Blake Kyd; Ludwe Booi, Johannes Jonker, Lindo Welemu, Wandile Putuma; Billy Dutton, Siya Mdaka; Nkosikhona Nofuma, Bangi Kobese, Masixole Banda, Mike Makase, Lunga Dumezweni, Makazole Mapimpi, Sipho Nofemele, Logan Basson. Reserves: Mbeko Kota, Yanga Xakalashe, Athi Khethani, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Sino Nyoka, Sipho Tom and Nkululeko Ndlovu. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Zono out after dip in form
#WhereisOliverZono will be the question Border Bulldogs followers will be pondering as the flyhalf has been left out of the Border squad to face the Blue Bulls tomorrow.
The match will be the second in succession that Zono did not even make the bench for Border.
Zono, whose exclusion suggests he has fallen out of favour with the Border technical team, has left tongues wagging in local rugby circles. He missed out in last week’s Border victory against the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias of Namibia and will be watching from the stands once again tomorrow.
In at flyhalf this time, just like last week, is Masixole Banda who was playing at fullback for the better part of the season.
Border head coach Elliot Fana has come out in defence of the decision to drop Zono.
“The truth is Oliver Zono is out of form, in fact he has been for quite some time now and that is why he was dropped,” said Fana.
“Banda brings a different dimension because we want to speed up our game. The advantage with Banda again is dual-duties play.”
According to Fana, Zono remained a brilliant player and his unceremonious exclusion was not personal but based on his performance which the coach feels has dropped.
Also a debutant, coming off the bench for Border will be scrumhalf Sinovuyo Nyoka who recently joined the East London side from Falcons.
At this very position, Zukisani Tywaleni has dropped completely out of matchday squad with Bangi Kobese getting the nod to start.
Fana said there were serious problems at flyhalf and scrumhalf in the Border fold.
“That is why we are trying different players to address our challenges in this position because we have been struggling.”
Border squad:
Blake Kyd; Ludwe Booi, Johannes Jonker, Lindo Welemu, Wandile Putuma; Billy Dutton, Siya Mdaka; Nkosikhona Nofuma, Bangi Kobese, Masixole Banda, Mike Makase, Lunga Dumezweni, Makazole Mapimpi, Sipho Nofemele, Logan Basson. Reserves: Mbeko Kota, Yanga Xakalashe, Athi Khethani, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Sino Nyoka, Sipho Tom and Nkululeko Ndlovu. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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