Durbell have a belief and a culture that could wash away unbeaten False Bay

DURBELL know they’ve got their work cut out for them when they host Super League A log leaders False Bay in Durbanville today.

Unbeaten heading into the clash, False Bay’s only hiccup to date was a highly entertaining 24-all draw against fellow title contenders Hamiltons last month.

As for their opponents, fourth- placed Durbell have only lost one match to date – against SK Walmers back in May – and entered the June break on the back of a remarkable 55-32 win over Hamiltons.

Durbell coach Bobby Joubert says his team has learnt from their defeat to Walmers, and adds that their confidence was boosted by their emphatic victory over Hamiltons.

But Joubert is fully aware of the challenge that awaits them against the Bay.

“False Bay is at the top of the log for a reason and we will have to be at our very best (if we want to beat them). Our guys won’t stand back though,” he said.

“We have belief and the guys are busy creating their own culture in the team and want to leave their own legacy.”

Joubert believes the Bay have the best defence on the club scene, and also makes the least amount of unforced errors.

It will be important for Durbell not to kick the ball away aimlessly as Joubert warns that wing Danie Roux and fullback Mustaqeem Jappie as the Bay’s biggest threats on the counter-attack.

Joubert, though, believes that his Durbies outfit have been operating at roughly 80% of their potential up until now.

“Our season is a bit different to that of other clubs because of the Gold Cup. We also started a bit later with our pre-season because of restructuring at the club,” he said.

“False Bay have played more matches than us (during pre-season), so we are busy growing. We will get there and the defeat to SK Walmers was a big learning curve for the players,” Joubert added.

Durbell, though, are the reigning national club champions and regardless of whether they are in a rebuilding phase or not, Bay veteran Ridhaa Damon knows their hosts will come out fighting.

“They ( Durbell) are a really strong side and have consistently been one of our toughest opponents over the years,” Damon said.

“We have always known them for having a strong pack of forwards and hard-running backs, which is a great balance for any team.”

Meanwhile, the only other Super League A match today will take place at the Jan Burger Sports Complex in Parow, where hosts NNK will do battle with Belhar.

Winless after eight outings, NNK are rooted to the bottom of the log. So even without flyhalf Dennis Cox, who will be on the bench for Western Province in their Currie Cup match against the Border Bulldogs, Belhar should have more than enough firepower to topple their hosts.