No margin for error when EP Elephants face Leopards
There will be no margin for error when EP’s resurgent Elephants attempt to stretch their unbeaten run to four matches in the Currie Cup First Division promotion log against the Leopards on Saturday.
EP are facing their toughest game of the season and all departments must be firing if they want to bite the Leopards on their home patch at Olen Park in Potchefstroom.
Surprisingly, the Leopards have got off to a sluggish start with two losses in their opening four outings, which has left them off the pace with a haul of 10 points.
The Leopards are in fourth spot on the log and desperate for a full haul of points to reignite their promotion challenge.
There has been an added competitive edge to matches this season, because the team ending top of the promotion log will be guaranteed a twoyear stay in the top tier Currie Cup Premier Division.
Incentives for lower league teams do not come bigger, and this has ensured an added element of ruthlessness in the approach of teams.
Though they have been slow out of the blocks, the Leopards gave an indication they are returning to the form that made them champions last year when they beat inform Falcons 25-15 in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
Going into the match, the Falcons had recorded four straight wins, while the Leopards had struggled with one win against two losses in their three games.
However, a big first-half effort saw them lead the Falcons 20-3 at the break, and despite being outscored in the second half, it was too much for the Falcons to claw back.
“We needed this win over the Falcons, because the team works hard,” Leopards coach Andre Pretorius said.
“The team are happy overall, there is more hard work to be done.
“So we are taking it game for game.
“There are times where we see the opportunity but the guys don’t call for the ball, or one guy who has to pass but keeps it then we give them another ruck.
“Though our decision making on the field is getting better,” he said.
Teams:
EP Elephants: 1 Siya Nzuzo, 2 Duan du Plessis, 3 Sive Mazosiwe, 4 Jaco Willemse, 5 Gerrit Huisamen, 6 Diego Williams, 7 Stefan Willemse, 8 Zingisa April, 9 Rouche Nel, 10 Garrick Mattheus (capt), 11 Rodney Damons, 12 Josiah Twum-Boafo, 13 Riaan Arends, 14 Davian Swanepoel, 15 Masixole Banda. Replacements: 16 Viaan Wolmarans, 17 Sibusiso Lali, 18 Duncan du Buisson, 19 Hannes Huisamen, 20 Arnold Kleyn, 21 Athenkosi Mnentsa, 22 Sachin Toring, 23 Mbembe Payi.
Leopards (possible): 1 Ruben du Plessis, 2 Tiaan van der Merwe, 3 Joe Ngcem, 4 Bryce Nteta, 5 Vincent Maruping, 6 Siya Mdaka (capt), 7 Robert Kruger 8, HP Swart 9, Shirwin Cupido, 10 Martin Venter, 11 Eugene Hare, 12 Tjaart Benade, 13 Dries Truter, 14 Pienaar van Niekerk, 15 Duren Hoffman. Replacements: 16 Robey Leibrandt, 17 JP Mans, 18 Sampie Swiegers, 19 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 20 Chris Vermaak 21, Danrich Visagie 22 Sylvester Hassien, 23 Vuyo Mboto.*