Bulldogs to tackle the Leopards with vigour

THE Border Bulldogs have made six changes to their team that claimed their first win of the Currie Cup First Division campaign against the Eastern Province Kings this past weekend.

Hooker Meliviwe Simanga, prop Lwando Mabenge, flank Lukhanyo Nomzanga, eighthman Sokuphumla Xakalashe, scrumhalf Bangihlombe Kobese and fullback Xolela Payi have all been brought into the starting lineup against Leopards at Buffalo City Stadium tomorrow. A couple of the changes are injury enforced, while others are rotational as the Bulldogs still search for their perfect combination.

“Simanga had a good debut off the bench last week, so we are looking forward to seeing what he can do from the start in a pressure match,” explained Bulldogs coach David Dobela.

“Lwando is coming back from an injury and he is one of our best tighthead props and I felt he should come back into the starting lineup now.

“Lukhanyo and Sokuphumla were rotational, and we are still trying to find our best loose trio.”

In the backline an interesting selection sees regular scrumhalf Sinovuyo Nyoka move to flyhalf, with Kobese then moving into the scrumhalf position.

“We want to see what Nyoka can give us, we lack depth at flyhalf and we are really feeling the loss of Oliver Zono, so we are trying a few things out,” said Dobela.

“Our other change in the backline sees Payi come in at fullback as our usual fullback [Sonwabiso] Mqalo got concussed last week and has to have his mandatory week out.”

The team continues to be captained by inside centre Siphosethu Tom who is looking to establish himself as the leader in the absence of regular captain Blake Kyd through injury.

The Bulldogs will be hoping that the changes don’t disrupt the team too much after their solid win over the Kings this past weekend.

“I am quite happy with the team, I think it is a good group and I believe that they will compete against the Leopards,” admitted Dobela.

On the bench the Bulldogs have gone with a five-two forward split, with a number of utility forwards in the reserves.

“It is going to be a very competitive match on the ground, so I decided we needed to have those running forwards on the bench to come in the second half and have an impact at the ruck area,” said Dobela.

The Bulldogs v Leopards kicks off at the Buffalo City Stadium tomorrow at 5pm.

The Border Bulldogs team: Yanga Xakalashe; Meliviwe Simanga, Lwando Mabenge, Ayabonga Nomboyo, Hendri Storm; Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Billy Dutton; Sokuphumla Xakalashe, Bangihlombe Kobese, Sinovuyo Nyoka, Lelethu Gcilitshane, Siphosethu Tom (capt), Lundi Ralarala, Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Xolela Payi.

Reserves: Mihlali Mpafi, Siyamthanda Ngande, Athenkosi Kethani, Athenkosi Manentsa, Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Lunga Dumezweni, Siyasanga Ncanywa.