The Border Bulldogs have contracted 10 new players for their 2016 season, the majority from the Swallows rugby club in Mdantsane.
However, not a single player from the new recruits comes from the union’s top three club sides – Old Boyz, EL Police and WSU All Blacks, who all had a splendid 2015 season.
Bulldogs head coach Elliot Fana said they had invited players from these giants for trials but “they did not show up and it is up to the clubs to release or not to release players”.
Fana said they had confidence that the 10 newcomers are the best available players and would add value to the team.
The full squad is made up of 38 players in total.
Three of the rookies play at lock position, a position the Bulldogs battled with during the 2015 season.
All last season’s players have been retained with the exception of Lukhanyo Am, who now plies his trade with the Sharks.
Other than bragging about the four wins the Bulldogs registered in 2015 out of 18 matches during a press briefing at Buffalo City Stadium yesterday, Fana outlined the provincial side’s plan for 2016.
The union was hard at work trying to finalise competitive friendlies against sides like the Sharks, Free State Cheetahs and Griquas among others for their pre-season preparation early next year.
For 2016, Fana was looking at an improvement.
Asked if the team fails to impress next year, should the blame be on the head coach in what will be his second year at the helm?
“If the union does not have resources, then cannot be the coach ,” Fana replied.
The 2016 rugby season will the most jam-packed yet, thanks to the introduction of the Gold Cup that has replaced the Vodacom Cup.
The Gold Cup, of which Border have 15 fixtures, starts on April 8 until August, immediately after which the Currie Cup season starts.
Bulldogs contracted players for 2016:
Retained from 2015 season: Masixole Banda, Ludwe Booi, Onke Dubase, Johannes Jonker, Mbeko Kota, Mike Makase, Athenkosi Manentsa, Makazole Mapimpi, Thembani Mkokeli, Mihlali Mpafi, Buhle Mxunyelwa, Siyamthanda Ngande, Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Nkosikhona Nofuma, Ayabonga Nomboyo, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Wandile Putuma, Zukisani Tywaleni, Lindokuhle Welemu, Oliver Zono, Billy Dutton, Lundi Ralaralaa, Bangihlombe Kobese, Blake Kyd (captain), Ntando Kebe (vice-captain), Siya Mdaka, Yanga Xakaalashe and Logan Bassson.
New recruits: Siya Ncanywa, Siphosethu Tom, Sonwabiso Mqalo, Saneliso Ngoma, Mlungisi Bali, Lunga Dumezweni, Phumlani Blaauw, Sokuphumla Xakalashe, Hendri Storms and Johannes Janse van Rensburg.
Brave intake for Bulldogs squad
However, not a single player from the new recruits comes from the union’s top three club sides – Old Boyz, EL Police and WSU All Blacks, who all had a splendid 2015 season.
Bulldogs head coach Elliot Fana said they had invited players from these giants for trials but “they did not show up and it is up to the clubs to release or not to release players”.
Fana said they had confidence that the 10 newcomers are the best available players and would add value to the team.
The full squad is made up of 38 players in total.
Three of the rookies play at lock position, a position the Bulldogs battled with during the 2015 season.
All last season’s players have been retained with the exception of Lukhanyo Am, who now plies his trade with the Sharks.
Other than bragging about the four wins the Bulldogs registered in 2015 out of 18 matches during a press briefing at Buffalo City Stadium yesterday, Fana outlined the provincial side’s plan for 2016.
The union was hard at work trying to finalise competitive friendlies against sides like the Sharks, Free State Cheetahs and Griquas among others for their pre-season preparation early next year.
For 2016, Fana was looking at an improvement.
Asked if the team fails to impress next year, should the blame be on the head coach in what will be his second year at the helm?
“If the union does not have resources, then cannot be the coach ,” Fana replied.
The 2016 rugby season will the most jam-packed yet, thanks to the introduction of the Gold Cup that has replaced the Vodacom Cup.
The Gold Cup, of which Border have 15 fixtures, starts on April 8 until August, immediately after which the Currie Cup season starts.
Bulldogs contracted players for 2016:
Retained from 2015 season: Masixole Banda, Ludwe Booi, Onke Dubase, Johannes Jonker, Mbeko Kota, Mike Makase, Athenkosi Manentsa, Makazole Mapimpi, Thembani Mkokeli, Mihlali Mpafi, Buhle Mxunyelwa, Siyamthanda Ngande, Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Nkosikhona Nofuma, Ayabonga Nomboyo, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Wandile Putuma, Zukisani Tywaleni, Lindokuhle Welemu, Oliver Zono, Billy Dutton, Lundi Ralaralaa, Bangihlombe Kobese, Blake Kyd (captain), Ntando Kebe (vice-captain), Siya Mdaka, Yanga Xakaalashe and Logan Bassson.
New recruits: Siya Ncanywa, Siphosethu Tom, Sonwabiso Mqalo, Saneliso Ngoma, Mlungisi Bali, Lunga Dumezweni, Phumlani Blaauw, Sokuphumla Xakalashe, Hendri Storms and Johannes Janse van Rensburg.
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