Bulldogs face tough test
Team has missed out on training for two long weeks
ATOUGH test awaits the Border Bulldogs when they face the Boland Cavaliers in their opening SuperSport Rugby Challenge match of the season in Port Elizabeth tomorrow.
Playing in the first festival of the tournament, with a club match before the Border game and Eastern Province up against Western Province after, it is going to be interesting to see how the team fares after the recent troubles at the union.
Having not trained in two weeks and missing two warm-up games in the build up, the team has only managed to fit in two days of training, which could prove costly in the end.
“You can see the boys are a bit rusty after the two week lay-off from where we were in our pre season training,” said Border coach Tiger Mangweni.
“We are playing against Boland who have not had the same experience as us. They have been preparing for this fixture and at this level to not train as a team for two weeks and not play those warm-up games leading up to the tournament is crucial and it is going to be very tough for us against them.
“Fitness and execution for me will be where we are tested the most, but hopefully we can put in a good performance.”
Due to the problems experienced by the team their goals for this year’s SuperSport challenge have had to be re-evaluated.
“I just want the guys to go there, enjoy the game and give it their best,” claimed Mangweni.
“With the set-back I think it is going to be very tough for us to make the SuperSport Rugby Challenge play-offs.
“I would love it for the team to do so but we are behind all the other teams now, so I think our goal is just to take each game one at a time, play as best we can and build towards the Currie Cup First Division later in the year.”
What the team does have going for it however is good continuity, with most of the players having stayed on from last year.
Sinovuyo Nyoka will captain the side, with key players like Sonwabiso Mqalo, Lelethu Gcilitshane, Billy Dutton, Johannes Janse van Rensburg and Blake Kyd amongst others supporting him.
Two club players have been included in the match 22, with Swallow's inside centre Lonwabo Ntleki getting a start and Fort Hare's Somila Jho on the bench. Both will be eager to impress.
Walter Sisulu University All Blacks hooker Maliviwe Simanga, who made his Bulldogs debut last year and was recently named the overall Varsity Shield player that rocks, will be looking to make a big impact should he come off the bench.
“We have kept a large contingent of the team from last year. They are good players and I feel we have a strong team and guys that can do the job,” admitted Mangweni.
“They know each other well and have good camaraderie, so they will just have to hit the ground running on Sunday and see what they can get out of the match.”
The whole festival is televised live on SuperSport 1 tomorrow, with the Bulldogs game set to kick off at 12.30pm.
Bulldogs team 15-1: Sonwabiso Mqalo, Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Sethu Tom, Lonwabo Ntleki, Lelethu Gcilitshane, Sinovuyo Nyoka (c), Bangi Kobese, Athenkosi Manentsa, Billy Dutton, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Hendri Storm, Lwando Mabenge, Mihlali Mpafi, Blake Kyd.
Subs 16-22: Maliviwe Simanga, Yanga Xakalashe, Ayabonga Nomboyo, Athenkosi Kethani, Soso Xakalashe, Somila Jho, Mbembe Payi.