Bulldogs can up the ante against tough Province clash
THE Border Bulldogs will be banking on momentum and continuity when they take on Western Province in their crunch SuperSport Rugby Challenge encounter at False Bay rugby club in Cape Town tomorrow.
The Bulldogs have only made two injury enforced changes to the side that beat the Boland Cavaliers, their second win on the trot, last Friday, with wing Lelethu Gcilitshane out for the rest of the competition with a ligament tear, and fullback Sonwabiso Mqalo out of this match with a shoulder injury.
“The team is settled now. We have reached the fitness level that is required of them, so we want to keep the combinations together that are working for us,” said Bulldogs coach Tiger Mangweni.
“We played well against Boland. We have built up some good momentum with the wins in our last two games, and we want to take that into the Western Province game.
“Losing those two players is a blow for us, but it gives us an opportunity to check our squad depth and we are ready for that.”
Somila Jho, who has played primarily off the bench so far this season, will get his chance to shine as he lines up on the left wing, while Xolela Payi, who last played for the Bulldogs last year, returns from an injury layoff to slot in at fullback.
“I am very happy to see Somila get a chance to start now. His preferred position is outside centre but he is good enough to play on the wing, and he showed against Boland he can be very dangerous there,” said Mangweni.
“For Payi it is another chance for him to show us what he has got. Last year he had an up and down few games for us and now he has a chance to slot in and make an impact.”
On the bench Lukhanyo Nomzanga makes a return to the match 22, while Walter Sisulu University All Blacks centre Mihlali Nchukane comes in and will look to make his Bulldogs debut sometime in the match.
“We watched Mihlali playing in the Varsity Shield. He had a brilliant season and he is versatile so can play along the backline,” said Mangweni.
“We are excited by the talent he has and I believe he will slot into the team well and hopefully bring that Varsity Shield form.”
The match against Province is going to be a very tough one, as they are unbeaten in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge since it started last year.
The Bulldogs can draw hope from the fact that the Cavaliers almost upset them, just going down by two points to them earlier in the season.
“Western Province are a good team and we must not get ahead of ourselves, but there is a good vibe in the camp and I believe the guys have a chance in the match,” said Mangweni.
The match kicks off at 3pm tomorrow afternoon. Bulldogs team: Xolela Payi; Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Lonwabo Ntleki, Somila Mantyoyi, Somila Jho; Aphiwe Stemele, Bangi Kobese; Athenkosi Manentsa, Billy Dutton (capt), Onke Dubase, Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Hendri Storm, Lwando Mabenge, Mihlali Mpafi, Blake Kyd
Reserves: Maliviwe Simanga, Yanga Xakalashe, Siyamthanda Ngande, Athenkosi Khetani, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Sinovuyo Nyoka, Mihlali Nchukana.