Border Bulldogs coach Elliot Fana says it is time that his union shed the notion that they are the EP Kings’ little brother.
The Bulldogs did much to destroy that image when they powered their way to a 26-14 win over the Kings in a Currie Cup qualifier at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Thanks to the win the Bulldogs are unbeaten after three matches and on track for a place to qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division.
Border’s dominance was reflected in the four tries scored by Michael Makase, Hendri Storm, Siyamthanda Ngande and Ludwe Booi.
The match was played as a curtain-raiser to the Super Rugby clash between the Southern Kings and the Lions.
“There is a syndrome that people are always looking at us as the EP Kings’ little brother. That is a notion that we would not agree with,” said Fana.
“They are a union with the same rights as us so hence the talk before the game in the changeroom was that the boys needed to get out of that small syndrome phenomenon and start to see themselves on the same footing as the EP guys.”
Fana, however, says it is still too early to start contemplating a return to the Currie Cup Premier Division.
“We do not want to get ahead of ourselves. This is work in progress and we are pleased with where we are. But this is not where the bus stops, but where it starts. We just need to build momentum and keep it going.”
The Kings have now lost their opening three games and much hard work lies ahead of a side who lost their previous matches against the SWD Eagles and the Boland Cavaliers.
“My philosophy is to strictly focus on what we are doing. Obviously if there are areas of concern we try to iron them out. Teams have our footage and they analyse us, but we need to be doing what we do so well that the other teams cannot stop us,” Fana said.
Kings coach Robbi Kempson felt his team dominated the first half of the derby showdown against their fierce rivals after they led 7-0.
“The team can be proud of their defence. They defended a good 35 minutes in the second half and the first 20. To defend for 55 minutes is very admirable and shows they have guts and are playing for something and that is a positive going forward.
“If they are going to put that sort of effort in as team on defence it shows they have a bit of ticker. You can’t ask more from the players. It is now about stop defending and start attacking a bit more.
“The time for learning is coming to an end now and it is time to start executing what we want them to do on the field of play. You have to give it to Border; they came out in that second half and capitalised on a few of the mistakes we made. If you do not have possession you are not going to be winning games,” said Kempson.
The Bulldogs arrived in Port Elizabeth after impressive wins over the Golden Lions in Johannesburg in the opening round and against a Sharks XV in their following fixture in East London.
Border dictated the game in the second half with their backs running at every opportunity and they were rewarded with four tries.
This weekend the Bulldogs host the Pumas and the Kings travel to Windhoek to play the Welwitschias.
Point scorers:
EP Kings: Tries: Simon Bolze, Courtney Winnaar. Conversions: Simon Bolze, Courtney Winnaar
Border Bulldogs: Tries: Michael Makase, Hendri Storm, Siyamthanda Ngande, Ludwe Booi. Conversions: Oliver Zongo (3).
Bulldogs buoyed by victory
The Bulldogs did much to destroy that image when they powered their way to a 26-14 win over the Kings in a Currie Cup qualifier at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Thanks to the win the Bulldogs are unbeaten after three matches and on track for a place to qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division.
Border’s dominance was reflected in the four tries scored by Michael Makase, Hendri Storm, Siyamthanda Ngande and Ludwe Booi.
The match was played as a curtain-raiser to the Super Rugby clash between the Southern Kings and the Lions.
“There is a syndrome that people are always looking at us as the EP Kings’ little brother. That is a notion that we would not agree with,” said Fana.
“They are a union with the same rights as us so hence the talk before the game in the changeroom was that the boys needed to get out of that small syndrome phenomenon and start to see themselves on the same footing as the EP guys.”
Fana, however, says it is still too early to start contemplating a return to the Currie Cup Premier Division.
“We do not want to get ahead of ourselves. This is work in progress and we are pleased with where we are. But this is not where the bus stops, but where it starts. We just need to build momentum and keep it going.”
The Kings have now lost their opening three games and much hard work lies ahead of a side who lost their previous matches against the SWD Eagles and the Boland Cavaliers.
“My philosophy is to strictly focus on what we are doing. Obviously if there are areas of concern we try to iron them out. Teams have our footage and they analyse us, but we need to be doing what we do so well that the other teams cannot stop us,” Fana said.
Kings coach Robbi Kempson felt his team dominated the first half of the derby showdown against their fierce rivals after they led 7-0.
“The team can be proud of their defence. They defended a good 35 minutes in the second half and the first 20. To defend for 55 minutes is very admirable and shows they have guts and are playing for something and that is a positive going forward.
“If they are going to put that sort of effort in as team on defence it shows they have a bit of ticker. You can’t ask more from the players. It is now about stop defending and start attacking a bit more.
“The time for learning is coming to an end now and it is time to start executing what we want them to do on the field of play. You have to give it to Border; they came out in that second half and capitalised on a few of the mistakes we made. If you do not have possession you are not going to be winning games,” said Kempson.
The Bulldogs arrived in Port Elizabeth after impressive wins over the Golden Lions in Johannesburg in the opening round and against a Sharks XV in their following fixture in East London.
Border dictated the game in the second half with their backs running at every opportunity and they were rewarded with four tries.
This weekend the Bulldogs host the Pumas and the Kings travel to Windhoek to play the Welwitschias.
Point scorers:
EP Kings: Tries: Simon Bolze, Courtney Winnaar. Conversions: Simon Bolze, Courtney Winnaar
Border Bulldogs: Tries: Michael Makase, Hendri Storm, Siyamthanda Ngande, Ludwe Booi. Conversions: Oliver Zongo (3).
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