THE Border Bulldogs will need tries galore if they are to conquer the currently invincible Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.
And there is only one man who can help them achieve this – that is flanker Makazole Mapimpi.
The 25-year-old Mdantsane-born Mapimpi is the joint top try-scorer with five tries in the ongoing Currie Cup qualifiers season.
Having not come even close to the scoring line in Border’s disappointing 28-3 loss to the Pumas last weekend, Mapimpi is hoping to bounce back and bring the East London side back to its winning ways.
Mapimpi was diplomatic about how many tries he was looking at scoring come Saturday, having managed a thrilling four some three weeks ago during the 37-32 annihilation of the Sharks.
“Obviously whenever I go into the field, my mission is to come out of it with at least one try but if an opportunity for presents itself, I am always there to grab it with both hands,” said the media-shy Mapimpi.
“However, I do not want to put too much pressure on myself by saying I am going to score this many tries because it is going to be tough out there, especially the opponent being Griquas.”
Indeed Griquas will not be a walk in the park for Border as their quest towards securing that lucrative Premier Division spot is gaining momentum.
The Kimberley side have an unblemished record in four matches and are unlikely to rubbish that record at home against Border.
But Mapimpi believes his side may manage a win, only if they impose themselves on the hosts right from the start.
The pacy flanker admitted that the Bulldogs backline, which was sleeping during their previous match, has got to wake up on Saturday.
Some within rugby circles maintain that perhaps Border’s first loss of the season may be what they needed to get fired up for what is expected to be their toughest confrontation yet.
After all, although Griquas look good to thump Border on paper, the visitors will draw confidence from last year’s results in the same competition when Griquas became their first victims in a 20-13 win.
Personally, Mapimpi believes there is room for improvement in his defensive skills which have come under fire as some, even within his team, view him as a player who shies away from contact.
“But I am getting there, when I started off my defence was far worse than it is now but there will always be room for improvement.”
Border will have to be careful in defence against Griquas who are averaging more than 30 points per match having scored 147 in four outings.
Bulldogs will also have to sharpen their teeth upfront as they have scored less than the other team in the top seven on the logstandings have, bar Western Province who are tied on 93 with the Buffalo City-based provincial side.
Bulldogs must sharpen teeth for rich try-haul
And there is only one man who can help them achieve this – that is flanker Makazole Mapimpi.
The 25-year-old Mdantsane-born Mapimpi is the joint top try-scorer with five tries in the ongoing Currie Cup qualifiers season.
Having not come even close to the scoring line in Border’s disappointing 28-3 loss to the Pumas last weekend, Mapimpi is hoping to bounce back and bring the East London side back to its winning ways.
Mapimpi was diplomatic about how many tries he was looking at scoring come Saturday, having managed a thrilling four some three weeks ago during the 37-32 annihilation of the Sharks.
“Obviously whenever I go into the field, my mission is to come out of it with at least one try but if an opportunity for presents itself, I am always there to grab it with both hands,” said the media-shy Mapimpi.
“However, I do not want to put too much pressure on myself by saying I am going to score this many tries because it is going to be tough out there, especially the opponent being Griquas.”
Indeed Griquas will not be a walk in the park for Border as their quest towards securing that lucrative Premier Division spot is gaining momentum.
The Kimberley side have an unblemished record in four matches and are unlikely to rubbish that record at home against Border.
But Mapimpi believes his side may manage a win, only if they impose themselves on the hosts right from the start.
The pacy flanker admitted that the Bulldogs backline, which was sleeping during their previous match, has got to wake up on Saturday.
Some within rugby circles maintain that perhaps Border’s first loss of the season may be what they needed to get fired up for what is expected to be their toughest confrontation yet.
After all, although Griquas look good to thump Border on paper, the visitors will draw confidence from last year’s results in the same competition when Griquas became their first victims in a 20-13 win.
Personally, Mapimpi believes there is room for improvement in his defensive skills which have come under fire as some, even within his team, view him as a player who shies away from contact.
“But I am getting there, when I started off my defence was far worse than it is now but there will always be room for improvement.”
Border will have to be careful in defence against Griquas who are averaging more than 30 points per match having scored 147 in four outings.
Bulldogs will also have to sharpen their teeth upfront as they have scored less than the other team in the top seven on the logstandings have, bar Western Province who are tied on 93 with the Buffalo City-based provincial side.
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