Border Bulldogs hooker Ludwe Booi has emerged off the bench to become one of the key players in Border’s starting 15.
Booi, after warming the bench for the better part of the 2015 Currie Cup First Division for the Bulldogs, has broken into the first 15 and plans to make it a point that he stays there.
To solidify his selection ahead of the man who kept him on the bench last season – Mihlali Mpafi, Booi is fired to inspire Border to victory over a hungry Leopards at 7pm tonight.
The 28-year-old has got more reason to be looking forward to a great performance as he will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow when he turns 29.
One he will want to celebrate in style on the back of a victory.
But the Butterworth-born hooker, a humble gentleman, is no self-centred man as he repeatedly emphasised as there was more “team” in his vocab than “I”.
Booi said hard work and mental strength during his benchwarming times helped him to hang in there until he finally got the nod.
But at the centre was the “healthy competition” at the Bulldogs.
“There is big competition at the Bulldogs, in my position Mpafi is a great player and having to chase the form of a player like him forced me to raise my level,” he said.
“Obviously no one wants to be second best but the competition has been very healthy.”
About today’s match, Booi believes the Bulldogs can bite the already wounded Leopards.
“We have got a strong pack of forwards and good backs who on their day can tear apart any team,” he said. “It will be a challenging match against the Leopards but a challenge we should be able to overcome.
“We are in a good space as a team and I am confident that playing in front of our supporters should give us the advantage.”
On paper, Bulldogs should cruise in against a Leopards side who are yet to take off this season having lost three times in four outings. But rugby is unfortunately played on grass.
In fact, an analysis of both sides’ offensive record in their previous two matches favours the visitors.
Leopards scored 52 points in two games while Border managed a disappointing 15 in as many matches.
This is where the likes of Border pacy wing, Makazole Mapimpi, who is Bulldogs top try-scorer with five to his name, come to the party to rescue the situation. But the home side should draw solace from their better defensive record having conceded 20 points less than their foes in two matches.
Bulldogs squad: Blake Kyd; Ludwe Booi, Johannes Jonker, Lindo Welemu, Wandile Putuma; Luk Nomzanga, Siya Mdaka; Billy Dutton, Bangi Kobese, Oliver Zono, Siya Ncanywa, Siphosethu Tom, Sonwabiso Mqalo, Makazole Mapimpi, Masixole Banda. Reserves: Mihlali Mpafi, Yanga Xakalashe, Nkosikhona Nofuma, Athi Manentsa, Zuki Tywaleni, Lundi Ralarala, Thembani Mkokeli.
Fiery Bulldogs keep the faith with star troopers
Booi, after warming the bench for the better part of the 2015 Currie Cup First Division for the Bulldogs, has broken into the first 15 and plans to make it a point that he stays there.
To solidify his selection ahead of the man who kept him on the bench last season – Mihlali Mpafi, Booi is fired to inspire Border to victory over a hungry Leopards at 7pm tonight.
The 28-year-old has got more reason to be looking forward to a great performance as he will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow when he turns 29.
One he will want to celebrate in style on the back of a victory.
But the Butterworth-born hooker, a humble gentleman, is no self-centred man as he repeatedly emphasised as there was more “team” in his vocab than “I”.
Booi said hard work and mental strength during his benchwarming times helped him to hang in there until he finally got the nod.
But at the centre was the “healthy competition” at the Bulldogs.
“There is big competition at the Bulldogs, in my position Mpafi is a great player and having to chase the form of a player like him forced me to raise my level,” he said.
“Obviously no one wants to be second best but the competition has been very healthy.”
About today’s match, Booi believes the Bulldogs can bite the already wounded Leopards.
“We have got a strong pack of forwards and good backs who on their day can tear apart any team,” he said. “It will be a challenging match against the Leopards but a challenge we should be able to overcome.
“We are in a good space as a team and I am confident that playing in front of our supporters should give us the advantage.”
On paper, Bulldogs should cruise in against a Leopards side who are yet to take off this season having lost three times in four outings. But rugby is unfortunately played on grass.
In fact, an analysis of both sides’ offensive record in their previous two matches favours the visitors.
Leopards scored 52 points in two games while Border managed a disappointing 15 in as many matches.
This is where the likes of Border pacy wing, Makazole Mapimpi, who is Bulldogs top try-scorer with five to his name, come to the party to rescue the situation. But the home side should draw solace from their better defensive record having conceded 20 points less than their foes in two matches.
Bulldogs squad: Blake Kyd; Ludwe Booi, Johannes Jonker, Lindo Welemu, Wandile Putuma; Luk Nomzanga, Siya Mdaka; Billy Dutton, Bangi Kobese, Oliver Zono, Siya Ncanywa, Siphosethu Tom, Sonwabiso Mqalo, Makazole Mapimpi, Masixole Banda. Reserves: Mihlali Mpafi, Yanga Xakalashe, Nkosikhona Nofuma, Athi Manentsa, Zuki Tywaleni, Lundi Ralarala, Thembani Mkokeli.
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