Border Bulldogs captain Siya Mdaka says the provincial side will have no room for excuses but will have to step up and be counted as the Currie Cup season starts this afternoon when they lock horns with the Golden Lions at the Emirates Park in Johannesburg.
According to Mdaka, Bulldogs have a good chance of starting their campaign on a high, as long as they minimise on mistakes.
Border has no option but to deliver this season, he said, but emphasised that a one-game-at-a-time approach was important so as to not put unnecessary pressure on themselves.
Mdaka, who recently took over the captaincy from Blake Kyd, said now was the time for Border to put a smile on their supporters faces who have not had such a luxuryfor the last three seasons.
Asked what he told his troops during the captain’s run at the Buffalo City Stadium yesterday, Mdaka had this to say: “I told them that we need to believe in ourselves because such small battles like self-confidence is what we need to overcome if we are to win games.
“At times we tend to worry ourselves about who is doing what and who is not doing what instead of focusing on individual’s primary job.”
The former Fort Hare Blues player believes the battle against the Lions will be in up front where he believes Border forwards need “to man up and take the game to our opponents”.
He added: “We have a tendency of wanting to see what the opponents have and try to match them but we need to take the game to them and believe in our structures.”
Indeed Bulldogs will not afford mistakes against the defending champions who on paper are the favourites to thump Border.
Previously, Bulldogs have struggled to defend set pieces such as lineouts and scrums, but Mdaka believes they have improved in this regard.
“We have good systems in place to defend set pieces and we are working on our speed as well.”
Border need to start the season on a high, said Mdaka, but it will be paramount to maintain a level of consistency unlike previous seasons when they showed signs of fading away when the season reaches climax point.
“We need to keep our feet on the ground, be humbled and work even harder when things are going our way,” said Mdaka.
“This year we will be putting up a good fight and pushing for better things.”
Bulldogs vow to bite Lions in season opener
According to Mdaka, Bulldogs have a good chance of starting their campaign on a high, as long as they minimise on mistakes.
Border has no option but to deliver this season, he said, but emphasised that a one-game-at-a-time approach was important so as to not put unnecessary pressure on themselves.
Mdaka, who recently took over the captaincy from Blake Kyd, said now was the time for Border to put a smile on their supporters faces who have not had such a luxuryfor the last three seasons.
Asked what he told his troops during the captain’s run at the Buffalo City Stadium yesterday, Mdaka had this to say: “I told them that we need to believe in ourselves because such small battles like self-confidence is what we need to overcome if we are to win games.
“At times we tend to worry ourselves about who is doing what and who is not doing what instead of focusing on individual’s primary job.”
The former Fort Hare Blues player believes the battle against the Lions will be in up front where he believes Border forwards need “to man up and take the game to our opponents”.
He added: “We have a tendency of wanting to see what the opponents have and try to match them but we need to take the game to them and believe in our structures.”
Indeed Bulldogs will not afford mistakes against the defending champions who on paper are the favourites to thump Border.
Previously, Bulldogs have struggled to defend set pieces such as lineouts and scrums, but Mdaka believes they have improved in this regard.
“We have good systems in place to defend set pieces and we are working on our speed as well.”
Border need to start the season on a high, said Mdaka, but it will be paramount to maintain a level of consistency unlike previous seasons when they showed signs of fading away when the season reaches climax point.
“We need to keep our feet on the ground, be humbled and work even harder when things are going our way,” said Mdaka.
“This year we will be putting up a good fight and pushing for better things.”
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