Bulldogs won’t take a step back in friendly against cross-border foe, Kings
THE battle lines have been drawn, the teams have had their say but now it is up to the players to deliver on the field.
Border Bulldogs will clash with the Southern Kings in a high profile friendly game at the Buffalo City Stadium this evening.
But there will be nothing friendly about the encounter as the Bulldogs players will be eager to show Kings coach Deon Davids that, they too deserve to play Vodacom Super Rugby.
The Kings will, on the other hand, be determined to not just grind a good result, but play well ahead of the Super Rugby campaign.
The Bulldogs announced their team yesterday with flanker Siyabulela Mdaka being named the captain.
The David Dobela-trained Bulldogs will want to give their provincial rivals a good warm-up game.
While the Bulldogs players’ fitness levels might still be below accepted standards, they should be motivated enough for the game.
Dobela has promised they will give the Kings a run for their money.
Win or lose, fans who are expected to attend the match in numbers are in for a treat as there will be an Eastern Cape Super 12 club rugby game before the Bulldogs game.
Bulldogs commercial and marketing manager, Akhona Mgijima, said it was all systems go for the game.
Tickets will be sold at the gate for R30 for adults and R15 for pupils, he said.
“It's all systems go. Everything is in place and we are ready for the game.
“We are expecting about 3 000 people.
“But because there will be a curtain-raiser of two top Super 12 sides playing, we might have more than the 3 000 people because people are really excited,” he said.
Dobela told the Saturday Dispatch his boys were raring to go.
“We're ready for the game. We are going to compete with the Kings,” he said.
Because today's friendly was not part of their initial plans, the Bulldogs will be looking to give all 34 players named in the match-day squad game-time.
“In the first half we will play with a team then in the second half play with another team because we want to give all the players a chance to play,” Dobela said.
Davids announced an experimental team on Thursday with hooker Martin Bezuidenhout named as the captain.
Four of the five former Bulldogs players have been named in the starting XV while Makazole Mapimpi will come from the bench.
Davids, who will be playing a different team against the South Western Districts (SWD) next week, has previously van Rensburg, Sokuphumla Xakalashe, Siyabulela Mdaka (captain), Ndzondelelo Gemashe, Bangihlombe Kobese, Saneliso Ngoma, Michael Makase, Somila Mantyoyi, Lundi Ralarala, Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Cameron Lentoor.
Replacements: Sonwabile Mqalo, Lelethu Gcilitshane, Lunga Dumezweni, Siyasanga Ncanywa, Oliver Zono, Sinovuyo Nyoka, Abongile Nalo, Lukhanyo Siyobi, Billy Dutton, Athenkosi Khethani, Henri Storm, Ayabonga Nomboyo, Lwando Mabenge, Luzuko Nyabaza, Blake Kyd, Thabiso Ngomezulu, Yanga Xakalashe and Mbeko Kota.