Home-ground advantage will be key as the Border Bulldogs take on the Boland Cavaliers in their Currie Cup qualification clash at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London this afternoon.
After nine matches of the tournament so far, the Bulldogs have managed four wins and five losses – two wins coming at home and two away – while they have suffered three losses on the road and two at home.
Despite the statistics being pretty even, Border always look a lot more assured when playing at home with vocal home support that always seem to lift the players.
“People come out in large numbers to support us and we really value that support,” Bulldogs coach Elliot Fana said.
“It revamps our energy levels playing in front of them and we really want to do well in front of our community, so the fact that we are playing at home, is an advantage and one that we must utilise to the best of our ability.”
This was clearly evident in their 29-24 victory against the Valke at home two-and-a-half weeks ago, where the Bulldogs fell behind late in the game, before coming back superbly.
The team were soundly beaten 39-22 by the South Western Districts (SWD) Eagles the past weekend and are eager to bounce back against the Cavaliers in style.
“We were outplayed by SWD, we were intimidated by them, our responses were not good enough and that needs to change against Boland,” said Fana.
“We had a long chat about it, the players understand that it was an off-day for them, it is a performance that most of them would like to forget, but I feel we have taken responsibility for the performance and we will respond in the next match.”
It will however be a very tough ask for Border as they face an in-form Boland team who sit in the upper echelons of the qualification table. The Cavaliers have enjoyed a great season so far, only losing two of their eight matches and are currently in fourth place on the log.
The Bulldogs are 10th after the SWD loss and know another loss will see them slip further down the table. History suggests this should be another close match.
Last year, Border managed to beat the Cavaliers in both their clashes, so Boland will definitely want to get a win, while the Bulldogs will want to keep up their dominance over them.
“We have always had a good rivalry against Boland, they are a good team and we really have to front up and put in a good performance against them,” said Fana.
“The guys are very keen to get a positive result, I believe the vibe in the camp can influence a positive result and I have no doubt that they can get a win against them.”
The match kicks off at 3pm today and will be televised live on SuperSport 1.
Bulldogs XV: Blake Kyd; Ludwe Booi, Johannes Jonker, Lindokuhle Welemu, Wandile Putuma; Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Siya Mdaka (capt); Billy Dutton, Bangi Kobese, Oliver Zono, Mike Makase, Lunga Dumezweni, Makazole Mapimpi, Sipho Nofemele, Masixole Banda. Reserves: Mihlali Mpafi, Yanga Xakalashe, Athi Khethani, Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Zukisani Tywaleni, Sonwabiso Mqalo and Logan Basson.
Fiery Bulldogs to go for the jugular
After nine matches of the tournament so far, the Bulldogs have managed four wins and five losses – two wins coming at home and two away – while they have suffered three losses on the road and two at home.
Despite the statistics being pretty even, Border always look a lot more assured when playing at home with vocal home support that always seem to lift the players.
“People come out in large numbers to support us and we really value that support,” Bulldogs coach Elliot Fana said.
“It revamps our energy levels playing in front of them and we really want to do well in front of our community, so the fact that we are playing at home, is an advantage and one that we must utilise to the best of our ability.”
This was clearly evident in their 29-24 victory against the Valke at home two-and-a-half weeks ago, where the Bulldogs fell behind late in the game, before coming back superbly.
The team were soundly beaten 39-22 by the South Western Districts (SWD) Eagles the past weekend and are eager to bounce back against the Cavaliers in style.
“We were outplayed by SWD, we were intimidated by them, our responses were not good enough and that needs to change against Boland,” said Fana.
“We had a long chat about it, the players understand that it was an off-day for them, it is a performance that most of them would like to forget, but I feel we have taken responsibility for the performance and we will respond in the next match.”
It will however be a very tough ask for Border as they face an in-form Boland team who sit in the upper echelons of the qualification table. The Cavaliers have enjoyed a great season so far, only losing two of their eight matches and are currently in fourth place on the log.
The Bulldogs are 10th after the SWD loss and know another loss will see them slip further down the table. History suggests this should be another close match.
Last year, Border managed to beat the Cavaliers in both their clashes, so Boland will definitely want to get a win, while the Bulldogs will want to keep up their dominance over them.
“We have always had a good rivalry against Boland, they are a good team and we really have to front up and put in a good performance against them,” said Fana.
“The guys are very keen to get a positive result, I believe the vibe in the camp can influence a positive result and I have no doubt that they can get a win against them.”
The match kicks off at 3pm today and will be televised live on SuperSport 1.
Bulldogs XV: Blake Kyd; Ludwe Booi, Johannes Jonker, Lindokuhle Welemu, Wandile Putuma; Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Siya Mdaka (capt); Billy Dutton, Bangi Kobese, Oliver Zono, Mike Makase, Lunga Dumezweni, Makazole Mapimpi, Sipho Nofemele, Masixole Banda. Reserves: Mihlali Mpafi, Yanga Xakalashe, Athi Khethani, Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Zukisani Tywaleni, Sonwabiso Mqalo and Logan Basson.
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