The Border Bulldogs produced the first major upset of the 2016 Currie Cup yesterday following a 27-23 hard-fought win over the Golden Lions at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg.
This was the first win Border have managed against the Johannesburg side in 35 years.
The East London-based provincial side outscored their opponents by two tries to three in a memorable result for the Border men.
A last-gasp try from lock forward Wandile Putuma proved the difference as the Bulldogs snatched victory at the death.
Border head coach Elliot Fana praised his charges, saying they showed character.
“The guys played well and displayed great character,” Fana said.
“We, however, remain humble with our feet on the ground because the Currie Cup will not be won in April.
“It was a perfect execution of our plan that delivered the results because we decided to fly in on matchday to eliminate the chances of altitude affecting us negatively.”
The scoring was opened in the fourth minute by Marnitz Boshoff, who slotted a penalty for the Lions.
His opposite number, Oliver Zono, then responded with a penalty of his own in the 21st minute to level matters.
Zono’s penalty signalled the start of a good 20-minute period for the visitors, who racked up a further 10 points before the half-time break.
First a try through centre Siphosethu Tom, which Zono converted, and then a second Zono penalty gave the Bulldogs a handsome 10-point lead at the break.
“Our work rate in the open stanza was very impressive, especially in defence,” Fana said.
“The commitment at breakdown was spot on and the intent and aggression when we had the ball at hand was also on point.”
The Lions responded well after the break, with the electric replacement halfback Ricky Schroeder darting over under the sticks.
Boshoff converted and in doing so reduced the deficit to just three points.
Booi admitted that “we let our foot off the pedal a bit in the second half, perhaps signs of the effects of altitude.”
However, Border hit back in the 51st minute when winger Makazole Mapimpi crossed the chalk for the Bulldogs’ second score.
Pacy fullback Masixole Banda popped over the extra two points to extend the Border lead back to double figures.
Once again the hosts hit back through a Boshoff penalty, before lock Lourens Erasmus scored a converted try to see the teams level on 20-all with 15 minutes to play.
The Lions seemed to have clinched it when Boshoff nailed his third penalty goal of the match in the 76th minute.
However, it was not to be, as the die-hard Border men fought back to get a score through lock Wandile Putuma.
The second row’s try was converted by replacement flyhalf Logan Basson, brother of Springbok Bjorn Basson, as the Bulldogs claimed a fine 27-23 win away from home.
Fana described the victory as a much-needed confidence booster for the Bulldogs team and for individual players.
“Our win was no fluke, we never doubted that we were going to win because we had prepared to win this match.”
After winning the physical battle yesterday, Border will have to recover fast because they face the Sharks in their own backyard next weekend at the Buffalo City Stadium.
Scorers:
Lions – Tries: Ricky Schroeder, Lourens Erasmus; Cons: Marnitz Boshoff (2); Pens: Boshoff (3).
Bulldogs – Tries: Siphosethu Tom, Makazole Mapimpi, Wandile Putuma; Cons: Oliver Zono, Masixole Banda, Logan Basson; Pens: Zono (2). — Additional reporting by SuperSport
Bulldogs stun Lions: Border pull off Currie Cup upset
This was the first win Border have managed against the Johannesburg side in 35 years.
The East London-based provincial side outscored their opponents by two tries to three in a memorable result for the Border men.
A last-gasp try from lock forward Wandile Putuma proved the difference as the Bulldogs snatched victory at the death.
Border head coach Elliot Fana praised his charges, saying they showed character.
“The guys played well and displayed great character,” Fana said.
“We, however, remain humble with our feet on the ground because the Currie Cup will not be won in April.
“It was a perfect execution of our plan that delivered the results because we decided to fly in on matchday to eliminate the chances of altitude affecting us negatively.”
The scoring was opened in the fourth minute by Marnitz Boshoff, who slotted a penalty for the Lions.
His opposite number, Oliver Zono, then responded with a penalty of his own in the 21st minute to level matters.
Zono’s penalty signalled the start of a good 20-minute period for the visitors, who racked up a further 10 points before the half-time break.
First a try through centre Siphosethu Tom, which Zono converted, and then a second Zono penalty gave the Bulldogs a handsome 10-point lead at the break.
“Our work rate in the open stanza was very impressive, especially in defence,” Fana said.
“The commitment at breakdown was spot on and the intent and aggression when we had the ball at hand was also on point.”
The Lions responded well after the break, with the electric replacement halfback Ricky Schroeder darting over under the sticks.
Boshoff converted and in doing so reduced the deficit to just three points.
Booi admitted that “we let our foot off the pedal a bit in the second half, perhaps signs of the effects of altitude.”
However, Border hit back in the 51st minute when winger Makazole Mapimpi crossed the chalk for the Bulldogs’ second score.
Pacy fullback Masixole Banda popped over the extra two points to extend the Border lead back to double figures.
Once again the hosts hit back through a Boshoff penalty, before lock Lourens Erasmus scored a converted try to see the teams level on 20-all with 15 minutes to play.
The Lions seemed to have clinched it when Boshoff nailed his third penalty goal of the match in the 76th minute.
However, it was not to be, as the die-hard Border men fought back to get a score through lock Wandile Putuma.
The second row’s try was converted by replacement flyhalf Logan Basson, brother of Springbok Bjorn Basson, as the Bulldogs claimed a fine 27-23 win away from home.
Fana described the victory as a much-needed confidence booster for the Bulldogs team and for individual players.
“Our win was no fluke, we never doubted that we were going to win because we had prepared to win this match.”
After winning the physical battle yesterday, Border will have to recover fast because they face the Sharks in their own backyard next weekend at the Buffalo City Stadium.
Scorers:
Lions – Tries: Ricky Schroeder, Lourens Erasmus; Cons: Marnitz Boshoff (2); Pens: Boshoff (3).
Bulldogs – Tries: Siphosethu Tom, Makazole Mapimpi, Wandile Putuma; Cons: Oliver Zono, Masixole Banda, Logan Basson; Pens: Zono (2). — Additional reporting by SuperSport
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