The Border Bulldogs are determined to erase their “whipping boys” tag this year having lined up tough opponents for the final stages of their pre-season preparation.
After finishing at the basement of the 2015 Currie Cup First Division season, Border Rugby administrator Monde Tabata has described 2016 as “a year to step up” for the Bulldogs.
As such, Border will lock horns with the Sharks, Free State, EP Kings and SWD team in warmup matches leading up to the start of the season in April.
“It is all about testing our strength against the top end,” said Tabata.
“We want our boys to be conditioned in such a way that they can play for the whole season without burning out.
“This is a step-up season for us, hence we went for the big guns because playing understrength opponents would certainly not assist in terms of what we want to achieve.”
All four warmup matches will be on the road for the Bulldogs in a space of 22 days.
First up will be a visit to SWD on March 4 in George before the EL-based provincial team heads for Port Elizabeth for a meeting with the EP Kings eight days later.
They head for Kokstad to clash with the Sharks on March 19, before concluding their journey in Bloemfontein against Free State.
Tabata said the Bulldogs were ready for the mission, having bolstered their squad for the season from 26 last season to 39 for the 2016 season.
According to Tabata not even the absence of two of their key players – Ntando Kebe and Lukhanyo Am, who have been elevated to Super Rugby in the colours of the Southern Kings – will be felt.
“We do not run a professional outfit on the availability of certain players because our structure is such that the key players must always have understudies so we are not found wanting when they leave in search of greener pastures,” he said.
“That, however, is not to say we do not value the two because the fact that they were spotted for something better speaks volumes about their influence.
“In fact in the case of Kebe, who is the most recent to be snatched away from us, that is a moment of pride,” continued Tabata, who also serves at SA Rugby Union as an independent executive member.
“Ntando (Kebe) is a graduate of the policy to promote local talent and a mature campaigner and player with big-match temperament. It is my view that he has enough gas in the tank to go a step further to represent the country.” — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Bulldogs to weigh depth against best
After finishing at the basement of the 2015 Currie Cup First Division season, Border Rugby administrator Monde Tabata has described 2016 as “a year to step up” for the Bulldogs.
As such, Border will lock horns with the Sharks, Free State, EP Kings and SWD team in warmup matches leading up to the start of the season in April.
“It is all about testing our strength against the top end,” said Tabata.
“We want our boys to be conditioned in such a way that they can play for the whole season without burning out.
“This is a step-up season for us, hence we went for the big guns because playing understrength opponents would certainly not assist in terms of what we want to achieve.”
All four warmup matches will be on the road for the Bulldogs in a space of 22 days.
First up will be a visit to SWD on March 4 in George before the EL-based provincial team heads for Port Elizabeth for a meeting with the EP Kings eight days later.
They head for Kokstad to clash with the Sharks on March 19, before concluding their journey in Bloemfontein against Free State.
Tabata said the Bulldogs were ready for the mission, having bolstered their squad for the season from 26 last season to 39 for the 2016 season.
According to Tabata not even the absence of two of their key players – Ntando Kebe and Lukhanyo Am, who have been elevated to Super Rugby in the colours of the Southern Kings – will be felt.
“We do not run a professional outfit on the availability of certain players because our structure is such that the key players must always have understudies so we are not found wanting when they leave in search of greener pastures,” he said.
“That, however, is not to say we do not value the two because the fact that they were spotted for something better speaks volumes about their influence.
“In fact in the case of Kebe, who is the most recent to be snatched away from us, that is a moment of pride,” continued Tabata, who also serves at SA Rugby Union as an independent executive member.
“Ntando (Kebe) is a graduate of the policy to promote local talent and a mature campaigner and player with big-match temperament. It is my view that he has enough gas in the tank to go a step further to represent the country.” — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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