Battle stations to prove who is true masterclass

ACRACKING university clash highlights the weekend of club rugby action as the Border Super League takes centre-stage after having the past weekend off.

The ninth round of fixtures is set to be battled out across the Border region, with the Fort Hare Blues hosting the Walter Sisulu University All Blacks at the Davidson Stadium in Alice.

The Blues, in second, currently lead the All Blacks by a point on the Super League log, so it is an important game in terms of log placings as well as to keep pressure on runaway Super League leaders MPM Old Selbornians.

“It is an important match and we would love to achieve our goal of ending second in the league as we all can see that Old Boys are far ahead on points and well-placed to win the league,” said All Blacks coach Sipho Metula.

“The team is looking forward to the match, they are more than ready for the game and they know that Fort Hare will be going for revenge after we beat them in their backyard in the Varsity Shield but they will be facing a tough WSU All Blacks team.”

For the Blues they come into the match off a close 16-11 away win over Cambridge and they will be eager to build more momentum and try and close the gap at the top on Old Boys.

“It is always playing against WSU, especially at home where we are under pressure to get a positive result in front of our fans,” said Blues coach Ntyatyambo Mkhafu.

“We have a couple of players out injured, including our captain which is a blow, but we have some exciting youngsters who can step up and prove their worth in the team.

“But our goal is to win the league, we have not competed that well in this league in previous years, but this year we have a good team and I think we have a chance.”

All Blacks lost their last match 14-13 against Police, so they will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend, while they will also be aiming to build some momentum ahead of the University Rugby Week taking place next month.

“We are looking forward to build momentum from this match as we will be facing tough competition this year at the USSA week and we will be tested by some big teams, so a win will be good for the confidence,” said Metula.

Log-leaders Old Boys will however be odds-on to extend their lead at the top as they face Buffs at Mike Pendock Motors Park.

Old Boys have been unstoppable so far this season in the league and it would take a monumental effort from Buffs to upset the odds and get a win.

Defending Super League champs Swallows face a big match as they try to keep in touch with the frontrunners as they take on Breakers at the NU1 rugby field in Mdantsane.

Swallows are currently fourth on the log and will be keen to take advantage of the Blues v All Blacks game to make a move up the log.

Other matches see Ntlaza Lions hosting Berlin Tigers in Mthatha, Police taking on Winter Rose at Police Park and Ocean Sweepers welcoming Cambridge to the Mpundu Rugby Field in Nxaruni.

All the matches kick-off tomorrow afternoon at 3.30pm.