Border to take the Bulls by the horns

The Border women’s rugby team are back in action this weekend as they take on the Blue Bulls in their second match of the 2018 interprovincial competition in Pretoria on Saturday.

Border made a slow start to the competition with a 22-12 home win over rivals Eastern Province two weeks ago, and they will be eager to pick it up against a Bulls team who were hammered by Western Province in their opening match.

“The girls are looking sharper than the first game. We have been able to identify and rectify the mistakes that we made in our last match against EP, particularly on defence and at the breakdown, so I am quite happy,” said head of Border women’s rugby Mandisa Williams.

Only one change was set to be made to the team ahead of the Bulls game, but a couple of late calls due to injury and the availability of Border’s South African women’s Seven players meant a bit of a shakeup to the team.

Injury enforced changes have seen scrumhalf Fundiswa Plaatjie and flyhalf Siviwe Basweni drop out of the team, with Yolanda Sana and Sivuyisiwe Celuza coming in to replace them respectively, while number eight Zandile Khumalo drops to the bench and Aviwe Basana replaces her.

The return of stars Snenhlanhla Shozi and Eloise Webb to left wing and fullback

The girls are looking sharper than the first game. We have been able to rectify mistakes

respectively then saw further changes, as Chuma and Chumisa Qawe dropped to the bench, while Nosiphiwo Goda shifts into the midfield to partner Aphiwe Ngwevu.

Coming off the bench during the match should be SA Sevens captain Zintle Mpupha and, as one of the best players in the country at the moment, she will be looking to make a big impact if she is introduced.

“The late injury calls were unfortunate as we had not planned to make many changes for the match,” said Williams.

“But that is something we just have to deal with.

“We are very excited to welcome our Sevens Springboks back. They will add a lot of experience to the team and can help motivate the girls.”

With defending champions and early pacesetters Western Province facing a tricky challenge against KwaZulu-Natal, Border will be hoping for a tight match so that they can capitalise with a good win over the Bulls.

“We watched the tape of the Blue Bulls against Western Province and we have managed to get a gameplan for them. We have seen where their weaknesses are and we are going to target them in the match,” said Williams.

“But we must make sure of the win first. I want the girls to enjoy the game, secure the win and then we can go for the five points.

“As long as they enjoy the game I know that they will win.”

The other A division matches on Saturday see WP up against KZN and EP taking on Free State.

The Border v Bulls match will kick-off at 3pm at Tuine Rugby Club.

Border team (1-15): Asithandile Notoyanto; Xolelwa Diliza, Yonela Ngxingolo, Zandiswa Xozwa, Thuliswa Capa; Lusanda Dumke, Yanga Ndabeni; Aviwe Basana, Yolanda Sana, Sivuyisiwe Celuza, Snenhlanhla Shozi, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Nosiphiwo Goda, Simamkele Namba, Eloise Webb

Reserves (16-22): Sinazo Halom, Zandile Khumalo, Anathi Qolo, Chuma Qawe, Yandka Nobanda, Zintle Mpupha, Chumisa Qawe.