TO MUZZLE BULLDOGS TODAY
Crunch time as playoffs for Rugby Challenge draw near
IT has got down to the business end and the stakes will be high for the EP Kings and Border Bulldogs in a crunch SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash in East London today. Any hopes the Kings harbour of progressing into the playoffs could end if they fail to subdue the Bulldogs at the BCM Stadium.
The top two teams from each pool, and the two third-placed teams with the most log points, will qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition.
The competition is divided into Central, North and South pools.
Apart from EP and Border, the other teams in the South pool are Western Province, Boland and the SWD Eagles.
After losing three of their opening six matches, the Kings are third on the South pool and in danger of missing out on making the playoffs.
When the Kings played the Bulldogs earlier in the season they went down 20-17 to them.
Clashes between the two provincial neighbours have traditionally been hard-fought affairs and today’s encounter will be no different.
The opening game delivered a physical battle up front, but the backs also showed good form when they were given the chance to express themselves.
This season, the SuperSport Challenge has taken rugby in a new direction and to communities where passion for the game burns brightly.
The tournament also seeks to reconnect the link between club and provincial rugby that has somewhat been broken in the professional era. There are several experienced players in the Kings lineup and they will be desperate to keep their team’s playoff hopes alive.
The Kings will be led by scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and his partnership with flyhalf Pieter-Steyn de Wet will be crucial for them.
De Wet started for the Southern Kings in their last Super Rugby match against the Lions and Ungerer was on the bench.
Another player keen to impress will be EP hooker Michael Willemse, who is on the bench after returning to action following an appendix operation.
Willemse was the first-choice hooker for the Super Rugby side at the start of the season and he will be keen to feature in their remaining three matches, against the Jaguares, Bulls and Cheetahs.
Western Province have already secured their spot at the top of the South pool standings and have a bye this weekend.
Boland still have an outside chance of pipping both Border and EP into the second spot on the log, but a home win for Border should confirm their place in the playoffs.
Today’s teams:
EP Kings (No 1 to 15): Xandre Vos, Tango Balekile, Chris Heiberg, Mzwanele Zito, Cameron Lindsay, SF Nieuwoudt, Stefan Willemse, Brandon Brown, Stefan Ungerer (capt), Pieter-Steyn de Wet, Neil Maritz , Michael Brink, Stokkies Hanekom, Sonwabo Majola, Keanu Vers. Replacements: Michael Willemse, Roche van Zyl, Thembelani Bholi, Zingisa April, Rudi van Rooyen, Garrick Mattheus, Rouche Nel. Border Bulldogs: (No 1 to 15): Blake Kyd, Mihlali Mpafi, Phumlani Blaauw, Lindokuhle Welemu, Wandile Putuma, Lukhanyo Nomzanga, Siyabulela Mdaka (capt), Billy Dutton, Sinovuyo Nyoka, Oliver Zono, Lelethu Gcilitshane, Lunga Dumezweni, Siphosethu Tom, Michael Makase, Sonwabiso Mqalo. Replacements: Ludwe Booi, Lwando Mabenge, Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Sokhupumla Xakalashe, Reinhardt Engelbrecht, Nkululeko Ndlovu, Somila Mantyoyi. Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni Kickoff: 4pm.