Bulldogs vow to shape up

Border Bulldogs captain Siya Mdaka believes the East London side have no one but themselves to blame after four defeats on the trot.

According to Mdaka, Bulldogs were playing good rugby but were letdown by their own defensive mistakes and poor finishing in attack.

Border, after losing 34-23 to Griffons, have now lost more matches than the three they won at the beginning of the Currie Cup qualifiers season.

At this rate, any hopes they had of being promoted to the Premier Division are fast vanishing into the air.

Border’s next match is at home on Friday against struggling Hino Valke.

Mdaka is positive they can win it.

“That one win would go a long way in taking us back to where we were at the start of the season,” he said.

“What is sad is that we are playing good rugby, especially like we did against Griffons, but our own mistakes cost us big time.

“We put in good phases but we are down when it is time to punish the opponents,” added Mdaka.

“We are also conceding a lot of easy tries which speaks to poor defending, but I have confidence that we will bounce back against Valke.”

It appears the Bulldogs have gone back to their old ways of starting the season on a high, only to crack when the campaign reaches a climax.

Mdaka’s analysis is that it is all in the mind.

“We need to win the mental battle first and all shall follow,” he said.

“The thing is, the Border team that lost four times is the same group that won three in the row at the start of the season.

“I therefore believe the answer to our struggle is within us, and we need to seek it, find it and then regroup.”

Border are lying 10th in the 15-team log-standings.