There is only one way the Border Bulldogs can do the unimaginable and beat the Golden Lions in their Currie Cup opener on Friday afternoon – get rid of the small union syndrome.
This was said by Border head coach Elliot Fana yesterday as he revealed the men who will carry the hopes of rugby-loving people of the Eastern Cape at the Emirates Park in Johannesburg.
Fana believes the Bulldogs should pity themselves no more regardless of the opposition because they are in the professional space like the so-called franchise unions.
“It is all in the head, for me it is a question of do we suffer from the so-called small union syndrome?” he asked the rhetorical question.
“When we land in Johannesburg, we need not feel small where we are pitying ourselves saying we are a small union playing against a franchise union.
“If we have that mind-set, then it will be a bad day at the office for us but if we say we are a professional side ready to compete, then there will be nothing to worry about.”
But the real question is whether or not the Bulldogs will be able to bark loud and bite hard against the roaring Lions who are the defending champions of the Currie Cup.
Fana said the Bulldogs technical team “have done everything in our power” to prepare for the upcoming challenge against Lions.
However, he said the only true reflection of how ready they are for the season would be the results they manage on the day.
“But we must look at the quality of the team we are playing against who are the defending champions which means it is going to be tough out there but we need to be challenged,” said Fana.
According to him, the fact that Border managed to keep approximately 98% of their squad from last season would give them a boost because “they have a better understanding of the systems that are in place”.
However, he admitted that the team was not without its shortcomings.
His concern is the position of the scrumhalf wherein Bangi Kobese has since replaced Ntando Kebe who graduated to Super Rugby in the colours of the Southern Kings.
“In the event that Bangi gets injured, we will be exposed in that position going forward, that is my only concern.
“But otherwise we are well off in all the other positions.”
The confidence and vibe was high in the Bulldogs camp during a visit by the Daily Dispatch at the Buffalo City Stadium yesterday.
Fana said he had confidence in Friday’s matchday squad to deliver the goods.
He praised individuals such as former captain Blake Kyd whom he described as “on form and playing well”.
Their ace tighthead prop Johannes Jonkers is back in the starting 15 while Yanga Xakalashe did not make the cut due to injury.
Fana concluded that their destiny was in their own hands.
“Anything can happen on the day but we need things to happen.”
Bulldogs matchday squad travelling to Johannesburg: Blake Kyd; Mihlali Mpafi, Johannes Jonkers, Lindo Welemu, Wandile Putuma; Nkosikhona Nokufuma, Siya Mdaka; Billy Dutton,. Bangi Kobese, Oliver Zono, Mike Makase, Siphosethu Tom, Lundi Ralarala, Makazole Mapimpi and 15 Masixole Banda
Replacements: Ludwe Booi, Siya Ngande, Hendri Storm, Athi Manentsa, Zukisani Tywaleni, Nkululeko Ndlovu and Logan Basson. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Bulldogs out to maul Lions
This was said by Border head coach Elliot Fana yesterday as he revealed the men who will carry the hopes of rugby-loving people of the Eastern Cape at the Emirates Park in Johannesburg.
Fana believes the Bulldogs should pity themselves no more regardless of the opposition because they are in the professional space like the so-called franchise unions.
“It is all in the head, for me it is a question of do we suffer from the so-called small union syndrome?” he asked the rhetorical question.
“When we land in Johannesburg, we need not feel small where we are pitying ourselves saying we are a small union playing against a franchise union.
“If we have that mind-set, then it will be a bad day at the office for us but if we say we are a professional side ready to compete, then there will be nothing to worry about.”
But the real question is whether or not the Bulldogs will be able to bark loud and bite hard against the roaring Lions who are the defending champions of the Currie Cup.
Fana said the Bulldogs technical team “have done everything in our power” to prepare for the upcoming challenge against Lions.
However, he said the only true reflection of how ready they are for the season would be the results they manage on the day.
“But we must look at the quality of the team we are playing against who are the defending champions which means it is going to be tough out there but we need to be challenged,” said Fana.
According to him, the fact that Border managed to keep approximately 98% of their squad from last season would give them a boost because “they have a better understanding of the systems that are in place”.
However, he admitted that the team was not without its shortcomings.
His concern is the position of the scrumhalf wherein Bangi Kobese has since replaced Ntando Kebe who graduated to Super Rugby in the colours of the Southern Kings.
“In the event that Bangi gets injured, we will be exposed in that position going forward, that is my only concern.
“But otherwise we are well off in all the other positions.”
The confidence and vibe was high in the Bulldogs camp during a visit by the Daily Dispatch at the Buffalo City Stadium yesterday.
Fana said he had confidence in Friday’s matchday squad to deliver the goods.
He praised individuals such as former captain Blake Kyd whom he described as “on form and playing well”.
Their ace tighthead prop Johannes Jonkers is back in the starting 15 while Yanga Xakalashe did not make the cut due to injury.
Fana concluded that their destiny was in their own hands.
“Anything can happen on the day but we need things to happen.”
Bulldogs matchday squad travelling to Johannesburg: Blake Kyd; Mihlali Mpafi, Johannes Jonkers, Lindo Welemu, Wandile Putuma; Nkosikhona Nokufuma, Siya Mdaka; Billy Dutton,. Bangi Kobese, Oliver Zono, Mike Makase, Siphosethu Tom, Lundi Ralarala, Makazole Mapimpi and 15 Masixole Banda
Replacements: Ludwe Booi, Siya Ngande, Hendri Storm, Athi Manentsa, Zukisani Tywaleni, Nkululeko Ndlovu and Logan Basson. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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