Swallows and Spring Rose go all out

AFTER having a break last week, Swallows and Spring Rose will lock horns in what should be an exciting Eastern Cape Super 12 club rugby tussle at the Buffalo City Stadium today.

Adding spice to the clash is the fact the game will be the curtain raiser to the Border Bulldogs versus Southern Kings game.

Players from both sides will be eager to deliver their best performance as they will know that the Bulldogs’ interim coach David Dobela and his Kings counterpart Deon Davids might be watching with keen eyes.

Both sides will look for their second victories on the trot in Group A.

The players from both sides should be well rested and itching to take to the field. The Mdantsane outfit will be eager to get the better of the New Brighton team and place themselves among the pacesetters.

Both sides like playing good, running rugby but the team that will emerge victorious will have to take their chances and make as few mistakes as possible.

At Police Park, East London Police will clash with Despatch.

Surprisingly Despatch, who are always a threat and favourites, have been struggling – resulting in two losses in as many games in Group B.

They will be aiming to show they take Super 12 seriously and want to make an example of the cops.

However, the servicemen will not be easy opponents, especially in their own backyard.

Both sides have campaigned in the national tournament – the Cell C Community Cup – but based on form and home advantage the Alistair Alexander-coached hosts should edge visitors.

However, they will have to show up and not just rely on home advantage as Despatch are more than capable of beating any side.

In a Border Rugby derby, Baffaloes will welcome Walter Sisulu University (WSU) at Buffalo Park.

Both sides are coming from disappointing second round matches as they lost against Progress and the cops last week in Group B.

The cops showed that the the best way to beat the All Blacks is to starve them of the ball and pin them deep in their half.

If Buffs can frustrate the students like the cops did, they will register their second win of the campaign.

Cambridge will have a mountain to climb against defending champions Gardens in Rosedale.

Gardens responded well to the opening week loss to Swallows, with an emphatic 55-5 win against hapless Breakers.

The tournament favourites have a slight edge against Cambridge and should easily put them to the sword in the Group A game.

But Cambridge will be looking to prove that they can compete against the top teams in the tournament and a win against Gardens will send a stern warning to the rest of the teams.

Struggling Breakers will have to bring their A game against Park at Mlungisi Stadium in Komani or they will suffer their third consecutive game in Group A.

Fans are in for a treat at the Adcock Stadium as Port Elizabeth Harlequins will go to war against rivals Progress.

Previous results and form will count for nothing when the sides meet. Whenever the sides meet, the game always lives up to expectations and today should not be any different.

With the exception of the Swallows v Rose game which gets underway at 3pm, kick-off is at 3.30pm in all games.