Just beat the Bulldogs, boys
Coach challenges team to up their game and break their duck in make-or-break showdown
EP Elephants coach Ryan Felix has laid down a challenge for his players ahead of their make-or-break SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash against the Border Bulldogs in Mdantsane on Sunday. With the Elephants stranded at the bottom of the log after six straight defeats, Felix has urged his men to pull out all the stops as they bid to break their duck in the competition.
“I have challenged the players to put in an 80-minute performance against the Bulldogs,” Felix said.
“Border will be well organised in defence, so our plan is to keep the ball and put them under pressure.
“I feel that if we can improve our defence and apply pressure we will be in a good position.
“The team want to start well and build from there.”
Using club players in a professional league, the Elephants have struggled to keep their heads above water.
Despite their losing streak, three Elephants players have been invited to train with the Southern Kings PRO14 team.
Prop Zandre Vos, loose forward Bakkies Brown and fullback Michael Botha managed to impress despite the points mounting up against their side.
EP will be looking for a cutting edge in the midfield from centres Nkululeko Marwana and Siyanda Grey as they bid to break through the wellorganised Border defensive wall.
A strong start is also essential against the Bulldogs if EP want to break their losing streak.
Felix believes his team have shown improvement during their opening six games and he will be looking for a massive effort from his charges in the final two games.
So far EP have leaked 41 tries, and they will need to show better organisation on defence to stifle Border’s attacking flair.
Despite losing their last game against the Eagles, EP delivered a strong second half showing when they scored four tries before losing 47-28. That late charge took EP’s try tally to 19 and they will be hoping to add to that total against the Bulldogs.
Felix said his team had not stuck to their game plan in the first half against the Eagles, and this had resulted in them having to play catch-up rugby.
Elephants captain Siya Mdaka has promised his team will go back to the drawing board and work hard to fix their mistakes before Saturday’s clash in Mdantsane.
This is the fourth festival in the competition after previous all-day events at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele, the Impala Rugby Club in Rustenburg and the Bridgton Sports Ground in Oudtshoorn.
When the Elephants faced the Bulldogs in the opening round of the competition, the East London side emerged narrow 22-17 winners.
The runaway leaders in the south section, Western Province, have 32 points from seven outings, which leaves them 13 points above second-placed Boland.
The curtain-raiser to the EP game is a key central section clash between the Sharks and Griquas at 1pm.
In the first game of the festival, club teams Back Eagles and Ntlaza Lions clash at 10.30am.