Boland will play high-tempo game, says EP’s Williams
Boland will play a high-tempo game and attempt to get the ball out wide to their wings when they face EP in a Currie Cup First Division clash in Despatch tomorrow, Elephants co-captain Diego Williams said.
After losing to the Bolanders in a first-round encounter, EP are focused on earning maximum points in a high-stakes showdown at the De Wet Stadium (kickoff 3pm).
The First Division clash will be preceded by a women’s Premier League encounter between the EP Queens and Border Ladies (kickoff 12.30pm).
“In my view, Boland will come with the game plan of hitting it up once or twice and then take it out wide to their wings,” Williams said.
“They want to play a fast game and get the ball out wide and they also thrive on other teams’ mistakes.
“So they will want the game to be a bit loose.
“We have planned around that and will manage that aspect of the game.
“The guys are excited and focused and we are showing great energy on the training pitch and looking forward to playing Boland.
“We will definitely turn things around on our home
field after we lost to Boland in Wellington earlier in the season.
“EP have been working hard on getting points whenever we visit the opposition 22.
“Last time we were not patient
and clinical enough and Boland scored a couple of tries from our mistakes.
“I think we have a good, balanced side with good leaders and youngsters with great talent.
“We will be a threat in the set pieces on Saturday.
“Our scrums were not that good last time when we played them away from home.
“This time, I think we will dominate and if we can give our backs good quality ball they can run through any team at any time on any given day.
“EP have a good group of seniors who work together and that makes things easier on and off the field.
“The Elephants enjoy playing in Despatch and we have a good track record at the De Wet Stadium and we are used to the conditions.
“If there is one field at which we should play Boland then it should be in Despatch, which has been a good hunting ground for us.
“We always seem to get a result on that ground even if we trail with a couple of points at some stage.
“Co-captain Sherwin Slater and I enjoy working together and we always consult one another before decisions are made,” Williams said.
EP have been bolstered by an influx of new players ahead of the game.
New additions to the squad include Harlequins players Chriszuan Slabbert and Charlie van Jaarsveld, who have both played for EP off the bench in recent games.
Troy Delport and Leon van der Merwe have arrived from the Madibaz and are training with EP but have yet to play for the Elephants. Other new recruits are Darryl Kameel (Jeffreys Bay), JD Jooste (GraaffReinet) and Mathokozisi Gumede (Griquas).
EP warmed up for the Cavaliers clash when they beat the Kenyan Simbas 18-7 in Port Alfred in their last outing.
The Elephants did not earn First Division log points for the win over the Simbas because the game formed part of the Mzansi Challenge competition which features foreign teams. First Division log (with matches played): SWD Eagles 33 (9), EP Elephants 28 (8), Falcons 28 (8), Boland Cavaliers 27 (7), Leopards 12 (8), Border Bulldogs 2 (8).