Border out to deliver SWD coup de grace
THE Border Bulldogs will be aiming to build on a positive week of training when they head into battle against the South Western District Eagles in their SuperSport Rugby Challenge match at Outeniqua Park in George tonight at 6pm.
The Bulldogs have been working hard to get themselves back on level terms with the other teams in the competition after their off-field turmoil. And with two games under their belt and a good few weeks of training, they are getting back to their best.
“I think we are ready for the match, our preparations have gone well, we have managed the players and everything has gone great so we are looking forward to the match,” said Bulldogs coach Tiger Mangweni.
Both games against the Boland Kavaliers and Western Province were lost after strong first half showings from the Bulldogs and they will need to try and convert that into a full game performance against the Eagles who head into the match after a solid win against the EP Elephants in their only game to date.
“I believe the team can get a win against SWD, we don’t want to get carried away but if we can play like we did for three-quarters of the match against Boland and like during the first half against Western Province, we will stand a very good chance of winning,” said Mangweni. “The guys are ready for a battle against a good team and if they can come out on top our campaign will officially be up and running.”
The Bulldogs have made a few changes to their starting team from their last game and received a boost when both props, Lwando Mabenge and Blake Kyd, who were doubts for thre match, were cleared to play.
“It will be good to have Mabenge getting another start and Blake will play off the bench, but it will be easy to see how long they last and I think the rolling subs will come into play in this case.”
Last week’s debutant, flyhalf Aphiwe Stemele, shifts to the bench, with captain Sinovuyo Nyoka moving back to flyhalf and Bangi Kobese coming in at scrumhalf.
“Aphiwe struggled to control the game the way we wanted, so we decided to put Nyoka back at flyhalf and bring Kobese back at scrumhalf and then we will play Aphiwe from the bench in the second half when things are more settled,” said Mangweni.
The last two changes see eighthman Athenkosi Manentsa rested for the match and lock Hendri Storm shift to the bench with Sokuphumla Xakalashe and Ayabonga Nomboyo coming in for them respectively.
“It is important for us to give game time to as much of our squad as we can, hence we have players like Xakalashe and Nomboyo are coming in for Manentsa and Storm who have both played very well this season and get a break now,” added Mangweni.