Upbeat Bulldogs take aim at EP Kings

THE Border Bulldogs will be hard at work this week as they prepare for a massive match against the Eastern Province Kings in the SuperSport rugby challenge on Saturday afternoon.

It will be the Bulldogs’ fourth game of the campaign and having picked up two wins and a loss so far this season they will be eager for another win to solidify their place on the South section log.

The EP Kings trail the Bulldogs, who are second on the log, by six points. However, they have played a game less, so they will be hunting a win to close the gap and put pressure on the Bulldogs.

“The EP Kings is a massive game for us, we need to win to keep the momentum we have built going and it put us in a strong position on the log,” said Bulldogs coach David Dobela.

The Bulldogs will then have a bye next weekend before the second half of the pool phase gets under way, and if they can claim a win this weekend it will move them to the top of the pool, although having played a game more, with Province getting the chance to go back top when the Bulldogs have their bye.

Also adding to the occasion will be Border lock Wandile Putuma and utility back Ntabeni Dukisa who were recently released to join the Bulldogs after being part of the Southern Kings Super Rugby squad.

Both started in the match against the South-Western District Eagles this past weekend and will be eager to give the Kings a timely reminder of their talent.

“With us playing the curtain raiser against the EP Kings it is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we are about and show that we are capable of playing at a higher level,” said Putuma after the SWD match.

“I learnt a lot there at the Kings, I am still contracted there and having come back to Border I have been sharing my experiences with the guys.”

This weekends SuperSport Rugby Challenge match will kick off at 2.30pm at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, with the Super Rugby clash between the Kings and the Sharks following immediately afterwards.