Kyd on cusp of his greatest achievement
No kidding, it’s been hard work, says frontranker
IT WILL be a momentous occasion for hard-working Border Bulldogs stalwart Blake Kyd when he runs onto the field at BCM Stadium tomorrow afternoon to cap his 100th appearance for his team.
The Bulldogs take on Western Province in a SuperSport Rugby Challenge fixture.
It is a magical milestone for the dependable 29-year-old front-ranker, who arrived in East London from KwaZulu-Natal six years ago.
“I would have never thought of getting to a 100 caps, it is not an easily achievable thing and it has taken a while, but it is nice to reach the landmark,” said Kyd.
Kyd was born in Pietermaritzburg and attended Maritzburg College, where he was selected for the Sharks Academy squad while still at school.
However, he did not get a chance to play provincial rugby until he arrived in East London in 2012.
He becomes the latest player to reach the 100-cap milestone for the Bulldogs, the last being current coach Thembani Mkokeli, who reached that number in 2014.
“I knew the previous owners at Border in 2012 from Natal, so they heard I was going for a trial somewhere else and they called me saying, if I want to play provincial rugby why not come here and take a shot at the Border Bulldogs,” explained Kyd.
“So I came here and by the end of the trial I was offered a contract and I have never looked back.
“It hasn’t been the easiest of roads here at Border, but I feel it has moulded me into the player I am and I don’t regret making the move here at all.”
The Bulldogs have had there up and downs over the last few years, with Kyd a part of it all, never wavering in his commitment to the cause.
“I have always been a firm believer of never giving up and always doing your best and being at Border it has always been like that,” said Kyd.
“We have been the underdogs most of the time and we have always had that fighting attitude, that no matter who we have come up against, we have had that never-say-die spirit, and that is one of the things I have enjoyed about being at Border.
“In my time here we have toppled some of the big teams, we have beaten the Lions, Griquas, Leopards and even the Sharks,” he said.
In his 99 games to date, Kyd has only scored three tries, but prides himself on being part of a formidable forward pack that has established a solid reputation over the last few seasons.
“When I first arrived we didn't have a great pack, we were known as a running side and always had a really good backline, so it has been over the last three years that we have changed that mentality and become very forward dominated, especially when it comes to scrum-time and getting that front-foot ball for backs to work off of,” said Kyd.
Another big part of his game has been his leadership qualities, with him captaining the team on a number of occasions.
“I have always been there for the team, wherever they need me, whether it is as a captain on the field, captain off the field or just playing my rugby,” said Kyd.
“I enjoy looking out for the guys, that is close to my heart and if a chance to captain comes around again I would gladly take it, but if it does not, I will wholeheartedly back whoever is captain and I am more than happy to just play for the team.”
With the early season problems off the field at Border Rugby finally worked out, Kyd and the team are now looking forward to the rest of the season.
They find the defending unbeaten champions, Western Province, in their way and face a mighty battle against the tournament’s form team.
“We are very optimistic and very positive going into the rest of the campaign,” said Kyd.
“We are looking forward to the game and are hoping to give it a good go this weekend, although we are not fully prepared as we would have liked to be, but the guys definitely have the right mind-set and are going to give it everything.
“I am very excited more for the game and I am trying not to think too much about the 100th cap, but I love playing against strong opposition as it brings out the best in me.”
The Bulldogs v Western Province match kicks off at the BCM Stadium at 3pm tomorrow. the