Bulldogs have plenty of bite – Kings coach
EP KINGS coach Mzwandile Stick said he was expecting of plenty of bite from the Border Bulldogs in the teams’ Vodacom Cup clash in East London tonight (kick-off 7.10pm).
After the Kings lost their opening match against Griquas, Stick knows that a defeat against a motivated Bulldogs outfit would be catastrophic for his team.
“We know what to expect from the Bulldogs. We are not going to take too much from their last game, when they lost to the Sharks,” Stick said.
“It’s a different story when they play us because it is more of a derby to them. This is the game they look forward to.
“We know they will be different. They will come out hard at us and they are playing at home. Border have a lot of pride and a point to prove against us.
“Some of those guys come from this region, so they would like to play for the Kings in Super Rugby. But we are up for the challenge.”
Following their defeat by defending champions Griquas, Stick said the Border clash could not have come at a better time:
“This game came at a perfect time for us. You know the guys were disappointed with the performance we had against Griquas.
“We know we are better than that and we did not punish them.
“Border are also coming from a big loss against the Sharks.
“Going to East London, it is a good game for us to get back to where we belong.
“So the main thing for us is about finishing and bringing that confidence back.
“You can see some of them still are too tense on the field. They are scared of making mistakes.
“It is my job as a coach to give them the freedom to play to their strengths, even if they do make mistakes.
“We are all human an make mistakes. The main thing to bring that confidence back for the boys.”
Stick said his team still had to gain the confidence needed to bury teams when they had the upper hand.
“That has been something we have been focusing on in the training sessions, so now hopefully things will get better because we have players who can do that job.
“Players like Siviwe Soyizwapi and Siyanda Grey are capable of doing that,” Stick said.
At Outeniqua Park, the SWD Eagles have a great opportunity to win their second successive home game when they host the defending champions Griquas tonight.
There is another top-of-thetable clash in the South Section tomorrow when Western Province host the Sharks XV in Athlone, Cape Town. Tonight’s teams EP Kings: Scott van Breda, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Hansie Graaff, Shane Gates (capt), Siyanda Grey, Gary van Aswegen, Kevin Luiters, Tim Agaba, Thembelani Bholi, Paul Schoeman, Cameron Lindsay, Tazz Fuzani, Simon Kerrod, Martin Ferreira, Charles Marais. Replacements: Edgar Marutlulle, Lizo Gqoboka, Cornell Hess, Stefan Willemse, Jaco Grobler, George Whitehead, Ronnie Cooke. Border Bulldogs: Masixole Banda, Makazole Mapimpi, Lundi Ralarala, Lukhanyo Am, Michael Makase, Oliver Zono, Ntando Kebe, Onke Dubase, Nkosikhona Nofuma, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Wandile Putuma, Billy Dutton, Johannes Jonkers, Mihlani Mpafi, Blake Kyd (capt). Replacements: Ludwe Booi, Yanga Xakalashe, Lindokuhle Welemu, Ayabonga Nomboyo, Bangihlombe Kobese, Lithabile Mgwadleka, Sipenkhosi Nofemele. Referee: Archie Sehlako.