Bulldogs on mission for vital victory
Border need to win a bonus point to get into the Currie Cup semifinals
Border Bulldogs resumed their preparations on Wednesday for their upcoming Currie Cup First Division encounter against the defending champions, the Down Touch Griffons at BCM Stadium in East London on Friday at 7pm.
This after the players abandoned training and threatened a stayaway from this Friday’s game which could see them qualifying for a semifinal place in the tournament.
A victory for the Welkom-based outfit would see them progressing straight to the semifinal, but the Bulldogs could only do so if they win the match with a bonus point.
Bulldogs coach Tiger Mangweni confirmed to the Daily Dispatch that his players had reported for training on Wednesday morning after they were paid 70% of their salaries by Border Rugby Union on Monday and Tuesday.
He said they were preparing to honour the conclusion of the pool stages of the competition.
“We had a morning training session, and we plan to have a second session later in the day. The players are back to training because they have been paid 70% of their salaries on Monday and Tuesday.
“So everyone is back to training, and we are commencing with our preparations for the game against the Griffons. Although the time we have to prepare is not enough, but then what can we do but forge ahead,” said Mangweni.
The former Vodacom Bulls and Blue Bulls fullback said the dispute between his players and management which saw the Bulldogs downing their tools last week after not receiving their salaries on September 25th had a negative impact on the campaign.
“This broke the players’ spirits, but then we’ll have to wait and see what happens when we play that game.
“Whether they are looking forward to play or not, but then we have do things the right way and make sure that we are ready for the Griffons.
“Because we want to win, but then our preparations can also cost us, if we don’t take them seriously.
“And another concern I have is that the team has been inactive for a long period of time, so that’s my problem.
“Because we don’t a new approach to employ as we have to save time and cover a lot of things in short space of time before the game,” said Mangweni.
He added: “We know what we have to do at training and during the game, and the only thing I can say now to my players is that they should go out there and enjoy themselves, the results we’ll look at after the game”.