Border in throes of rebuilding phase after player exodus
A DEPLETED Border Bulldogs team are in the final stages of their preparation ahead of the Currie Cup First Division season which kicks off across the country this weekend.
The Bulldogs have seen a host of key players snapped up by the Southern Kings, who are rebuilding after most of their players left after Super Rugby, for their European Pro14 campaign which gets under way next weekend.
This has seen the Bulldogs interrupted throughout their pre-season as key players have left to join up with the Kings.
“It has been very difficult for us and it has been a bit disruptive, but it is really great for the players to get a chance to play at a higher level,” admitted Bulldogs coach David Dobela.
“It is also recognition of the great work we have been doing with these players over the last few years and they are now being noticed by the bigger unions.
“It is never nice to lose your best players, but we can't stand in the way of their progress and we are also happy to help the Kings where we can as we know they are in a difficult position.”
Bulldogs star flyhalf Oliver Zono, wing Michael Makase, captain and flank Siya Mdaka and lock Lindokuhle Welemu, who were all part of their SuperSport Rugby Challenge campaign earlier this season, have been signed on, while Border assistant coach Chumani Booi has also been signed as the Kings backline coach.
This along with utility backs Ntabeni Dukisa and Masixole Banda who were part of the Super Rugby setup have also stayed on.
“The guys who have been called up are our main players, they are our strike players, so it is going to be very tough without them, but I have faith in our larger squad and believe we will see more players stepping up to the plate,” claimed Dobela.
“We are working through it and we now will get the opportunity to see some of the players who have been on the fringes get an extended run in the team.”
It really is testament to the impressive work the Bulldogs have done over the last few years, culminating with the team making a fantastic run to the Currie Cup First Division semifinals last year, that has seen their players now in high demand.
The team now face a massive test in putting in another title challenge, which would have been the original goal this season, but may now be a bit out of their reach.
“We may need to change the goalposts a bit, we had big goals for the team this year and we will still be aiming to meet them, however we will have to keep a close eye on the progress and re-evaluate where we stand once we have played a few games,” said Dobela.
“We had built a really good team here and it looks like we will have to start another rebuilding phase now.”
The teams first game of the competition will be a home match against the Valke at the BCM Stadium on Saturday afternoon and playing in front of their home fans will hopefully give the players a lift to get them off to a positive start.
“Having the Valke first here will give us a chance to get a win to start the competition and we will be aiming to give the home fans something to cheer on Saturday,” said Dobela.
“The guys are really looking forward to getting back on the field, there is some really good camaraderie in this team and they are ready to get up and running.”
The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.