Border to bank on Superwomen
THE biggest clash in women's rugby is back as the reigning, multiple defending champions Border take on fierce rivals Western Province in the final of the 2017 Interprovincial A division competition at the BCM Stadium today. Border have won the last four titles in a row, including beating WP in three of those finals, and they will now be looking to make it an unprecedented five consecutive title wins. “The ladies have said since the start of the competition that they want to host the final and make history by winning this competition five years in a row,” claimed Border coach Mxolisi Kolonza. “They have done the first part and now it is up to them to go out on the day and make history.” Border have absolutely dominated the competition over the last five seasons, with their only losses coming against WP in Cape Town in 2013 and at home last year. This year they head into the final off an unbeaten pool campaign, including beating WP in a tightly contested match in Cape Town 15-10. “We know what WP brings to the table, they are a tough team and always bring out the best in us and I am confident we can emerge as champions on Saturday,” admitted Kolonza. “We have had a really good season so far, but that will unfortunately mean nothing if we lose in the final.”
Only one change has been made to the Border team that smashed Free State two weeks ago. Prop Thantaswa Macingwane has come into the side, with loose-forward Nomaphelo Mayongo dropping to the bench and Nwabisa Ngxatu shifting from prop to number eight.
The backline then sees a few positional switches with Nosiphiwo Goda moving from left wing to outside centre, Simamkele Namba moving to inside centre and Unathi Mali shifting to the left wing.
“I am happy with the team that we have, it is a talented and strong team and they can win the title,” said Kolonza. “We just decided to tweak a few things in the side to combat certain aspects of WP’s game and I think we have them fully covered now.”
The main match between Border and WP kicks off at 3.30pm today, with the Interprovincial B division final between the Lions and SWD playing as the curtain-raiser, with kick-off at 1.30pm.
Border team is: Sinenhlanhla Shozi; Lutho Sajini, Nosiphiwo Goda, Simamkele Namba, Unathi Mali; Siviwe Basweni, Fundiswa Plaatjie; Nwabisa Ngxatu, Lusanda Dumke, Yanga Ndabeni, Zandiswa Xozwa, Nolusindiso Booi, Thantaswa Macingwane, Xolelwa Diliza, Asithandile Ntoyanto. Reserves: Sinenhlanhla Kwinana, Liyabona Dudumashe, Thuliswa Capa, Nomaphelo Mayongo, Yolanda Sana, Siphosethu Mgaju, Aphiwe Ngwevu