The Border Bulldogs have named their strongest possible team for the game against the visiting South Western District Eagles for their SuperSport Rugby Challenge match to be played at the BCM Stadium tomorrow night.
Three changes have been made from the side that lost to champions Western Province 52-24 last weekend. First-choice hooker Mihlali Mpafi returns to the starting line-up and Maliviwe Simanga drops to the bench, Athenkosi Manentsa drops out of the team while Lukhanyo Nomzanga comes in and Sinovuyo Nyoka slots in at scrumhalf with Bangi Kobese moving to the bench.
“We gave Maliviwe a chance to start last weekend and Mpafi comes back in,” said Bulldogs coach Tiger Mangweni. “We have then shaken up the loose trio as Manentsa drops out of the team, meaning Billy Dutton moves to eighthman and Onke Dubase to seven, allowing Nomzanga to slot in at six. He is a strong defensive player and I believe he will add a lot to the team.
“We have also brought back Nyoka; Bangi hasn't done anything wrong so that change is just rotational.”Despite the heavy loss against the unbeaten defending champions, the Bulldogs will be confident facing the Eagles as they were victorious in their last two home games and will look to put in another big performance in front of their home fans.
“There is not much that we need to change, I feel we are still in a good place and we just have to keep reinforcing what we are doing right and just cut out the errors that creep into our game, usually in the second half of a match,” admitted Mangweni.
A win for the Bulldogs and a loss for the Boland Cavaliers against WP would make things very interesting in the pool as it would bring the Bulldogs into contention to qualify for the competition quarterfinals.
Following tomorrow’s match the Bulldogs will finish the pool stage at the SuperSport Rugby Challenge festival in Mdantsane on June 17 when they oppose the EP Elephants.
“There will be a lot of belief for the boys, if that proves to be our last game of the competition the boys will want to go out on a high and playing against our local rivals will add even more to the occasion,” said Mangweni.
“It is great to take rugby to the people. Most of those fans are unable to get into town on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon to watch our games, so for us to take one to them is always a great occasion and everyone enjoys it.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm.
Bulldogs: Xolela Payi; Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Lonwabo Ntleki, Somila Mantyoyi, Somila Jho; Aphiwe Stemele, Sinovuyo Nyoka; Billy Dutton (capt), Onke Dubase, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Hendri Storm, Lwando Mabenge, Mihlali Mpafi, Blake Kyd. Reserves: Maliviwe Simanga, Siyamthanda Ngande, Athenkosi Khetani, Nkosikona Nofuma, Bangi Kobese, Mihlali Nchukana, Sibongile Novuka...