Tough game for Bulldogs
Coming away from Cape Town with points today is vitally important for the Border Bulldogs if they are to keep up their pursuit of a play-off spot in this year’s SuperSport Rugby Challenge competition.
After losing their first three games on the trot, and not managing any bonus points, the Bulldogs were in danger of being the competition’s wooden spoonists. But bouncing back with two wins, including a bonus-point win in last week’s game against the Boland Cavaliers in East London, has brought them back into the mix.
However, they are still seven points behind the Cavaliers, who hold the second automatic qualification spot and are a point off the South Western District Eagles in third, who also have a game in hand.
So it is essential that the Bulldogs pick up as many points as they can, even if a victory in any of their upcoming matches seems out of reach.“We are coming up against a strong Western Province team and have it all to do,” coach Tiger Mangweni said.
“They will be the favourites, we are not overconfident and respect them, but we do have a job to do.”
Western Province are the undisputed kings of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, having won every match they have played in the competition, including last season, when they vanquished all and sundry on their way to the title. The Cape Town unit has accumulated 24 out of a possible 25 points so far this year.
It would of course be an incredible upset if the Bulldogs could pull off a victory.
“It is not impossible to win against them. We believe we have the team to do it and we are looking forward to showing what we can do in the match,” Mangweni said.
During their first match against Western Province, the Bulldogs did show some fight, especially in the first half, before Province pulled away for a comfortable 36-7 win.
However, the Bulldogs have improved drastically since that match and head into the Province clash with plenty of confidence.
“We learnt our lessons from the last game,” claimed Mangweni.
“We also were not fully match fit then because of our bad off season, so this time we have no excuses as we are as fit as we can be.
“We need to be on top of our game if we are to beat them, but the spirit is high and we will see what happens.”
Today’s match kicks off at 3pm...
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