ONLY THE BEST WILL DO
Players keen to get off to the best possible start against Valke in Kempton
Bulldogs taking no chances against Valke
A strong team has been named for the Border Bulldogs opening match of the 2018 Currie Cup First Division as they take on the Valke at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park on Saturday afternoon.
The team has enjoyed a full buildup to the competition and will be gunning to get off to the best possible start away from home.
“I am happy with the team, this is the strongest team that we could select for this weekend, we have been working with them over the pre-season and I believe they can do the job,” said Bulldogs coach Tiger Mangweni.
“We are missing a couple of players through injury but the players that are stepping in are more than capable.”
Most of the players in the starting 15 were regulars for the team during the SuperSport Rugby Challenge earlier in the season, so the team will have plenty of continuity.
Two senior players who are missing out through injury are prop Blake Kyd and loose-forward Billy Dutton, who also captained the side over a few games earlier in the year.
“Blake has a knee injury, we hear it is a tear to the meniscus, but we will only know exactly what and how long he will be out for when he sees the doctor next week,” explained Mangweni. “Billy then has a wrist injury and he will be out for a few weeks, but will be back later in the competition.
“It is a blow losing them, but with [Athenkosi] Manentsa and [Siyamthanda] Ngande coming in they are very able replacements as they both played well when called upon during the SuperSport Challenge.”
The captaincy will now fall onto hooker Mihlali Mpafi and he will be eager to lead from the front.
The Border pack will play an important part in laying the platform for the backs to attack from and Lwando Mabenge will be lining up in the frontrow with Mpafi and Ngande.
A tall second row then features regular starter Johannes Janse van Rensburg and Athenkosi Khetani and the loose trio sees Onke Dubase and Lukhanyo Nomzanga join Manentsa.
“We have a strong forward pack, two dependable locks and a very exciting loose trio and I am looking forward to seeing them in action on Saturday,” said Mangweni.
In the backline, Bangi Kobese takes the scrumhalf jersey ahead of Sinovuyo Nyoka who will provide cover from the bench, while Aphiwe Stemele has made himself a permanent choice at flyhalf.
Left-wing Carlisle Jordaan is one of the new faces in the team, having made his debut for the Bulldogs at the end of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge and he will be eager to secure his spot, while the rest of the backline are all regulars, including fullback Sonwabiso Mqalo who returns from injury.
“Bangi has been playing very well this season, so we are happy to back him and Nyoka provides cover across the backline, so it is good to have a guy like that on the bench,” said Mangweni.
“The rest of the backline have established themselves this year, except for Carlisle who is still new but we are liking what we are seeing from him.
“It is a huge difference having Mqalo back, he provides stability at the back, he is a good kicking option and his leadership ability is very important.”
The Bulldogs v Valke match kicks off at 4pm on Saturday.
I am happy with the team, this is the strongest team that we could select
Bulldogs 15-1: Sonwabiso Mqalo; Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Lonwabo Ntleki, Somila Mantyoyi, Carlisle Jordaan,; Aphiwe Stemele; Bangi Kobese, Athenkosi Manentsa; Onke Dubase, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Athenkosi Khetani, Lwando Mabenge, Mihlali Mpafi (capt), Siyamthanda Ngande. Reserves: Lubabalo Lento, Monwabiso Ngcem, Ayabonga Nomboyo, Sokuphumla Xakalashe, Sinovuyo Nyoka, Somila Jho, Lwandile Mapuko.