Bulldogs’ grit will have to come through against WP
The team is better prepared this time
CRACKING SuperSport Rugby Challenge action returns to East London today as the Border Bulldogs welcome defending champions Western Province to the BCM Stadium for their second match of the tournament’s 2018 edition.
The Bulldogs head into the match after a solid week of training and will be more prepared for this match after having only two practice sessions under their belt in their loss to Boland Kavaliers in the opening round in Port Elizabeth.
“Everything has gone well this week, but I feel we are still behind on our fitness,” said
Tiger Mangweni.
“Our preparations have been good but we still have a bit of work to do in terms of conditioning to get back to where we need to be.”
Despite the heavy 51-24 defeat against Boland, the Bulldogs were well in the match for much of it before fading in the final quarter.
They will need to be at the top of their game for the full 80 minutes and will know that Province are unbeaten in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge since it kicked off last year.
“When I went and watched the video again [Boland match] it was from our mistakes that they scored from at the end of the game; the guys lost concentration and made silly mistakes, so we just need to make sure we don’t do the same this weekend,” Mangweni said.
“Western Province like to run the ball. Last year they kicked almost nothing to us and I think it will be the Bulldogs coach same this time.
“When we play big teams we are able to measure ourselves and after the Western Province game we will know exactly where we stand.”
Two changes have been made to the starting side from last week’s match, with prop Siyamthanda Ngande coming in for the injured Lwando Mabenge.
Aphiwe Stemele comes in at flyhalf while Sinovuyo Nyoka shifts back to his regular berth of scrumhalf.
It will be Stemele’s Bulldogs debut and the Swallows flyhalf will be eager to make an immediate impact.
“Sinovuyo is not a born flyhalf, he is a very good player and can fill the position when needed, but we feel his best position is scrumhalf and we needed to bring in a permanent flyhalf,” explained Mangweni.
“Stemele is a player we are very excited about – he is an out-and-out flyhalf and I believe he will slot well into our system. We have been watching him over the last few years and he has played very well for Swallows and he is good enough to make the step up and become a regular.”
Another player set to make his debut is loose forward Lubabalo Lento. The former Walter Sisulu University All Blacks player is set to come on from the bench.
Bulldogs prop Blake Kyd will gain his 100th cap for Border when he runs on the field today.
Today’s match kicks off at 3pm. Bulldogs 15-1: Sonwabiso Mqalo, Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Lonwabo Ntleki, Sethu Tom, Lelethu Gcilitshane, Aphiwe Stemele, Sinovuyo Nyoka (capt), Athenkosi Manentsa, Billy Dutton, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Hendri Storm, Blake Kyd, Mihlali Mpafi, Siyamthanda Ngande. Substututes 16-22: Maliviwe Simanga, Yanga Xakalashe, Ayabonga Nomboyo, Lubabalo Lento, Bangi Kobese, Somila Mantyoyi, Somila Jho.