Chuffed Felix backs his Elephants

PROUD EP Elephants coach Ryan Felix says his players will be prepared to run through a brick wall for him when they square up against the Boland Cavaliers at the Despatch Rugby Club on Saturday.

Felix was talking after his team beat the Border Bulldogs 26-14 in their last game to give themselves a chance of moving off the bottom of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge log.

Apart from a sparkling try from man of the match Michael Botha, there were also five-pointers from Xandre Vos, Anele Lungisa and Riaan Arends.

“I was so stoked for the players because of the hard work they put in,” Felix said.

“I give them a tough time at training, but they do not complain. Even if I tell them to run through a brick wall they will do that for the team.

“Hats off to all my players. I asked them to give an 80minute performance against Border and that is exactly what they did.

“I also told them to up the ante on defence and they responded well. They stuck to everything we trained for.

“Our loose trio also made a made a huge difference .

“Border are not good defensively when you counterattack and that was also the plan.

“The players told me that they are going all out to win our final game against Boland.

“This win has given the players new spirit.

“Even when we were losing they never complained about conditions. They all kept grafting for the province.

“I told the players before kickoff they must get rid of the stigma of being club players.”

The Elephants have 10 points from seven outings, just one less than Border, who have completed their fixtures.

Boland, with 21 points from seven outings, are third in the standings and in with a chance of making the playoffs.

The 15 teams in the competition are divided into three regional pools (north, south and central) of five teams.

The top two teams from each pool, and the two thirdplaced teams with the best record, will be in the playoffs.