The Border Bulldogs will want to make amends for last weekend’s drubbing when they meet the Mighty Elephants in East London on Friday evening in their Currie Cup first-division match at the Absa Stadium.
The Bulldogs were unbeaten in four matches until coming badly unstuck against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.
Bulldogs coach Dumisani Mhani conceded the Bulldogs were outplayed from the start, but says a hard lesson was learned.
Mhani surprisingly included two club players on his reserve bench, in hooker Dylon Edwards from Queenstown Swifts and utility back Russell Jeacocks of Old Selbornians. Should they get game time, it will be a big moment for the two youngsters.
The return of fullback Tiger Magweni following a shoulder injury will boost the home side as he is no ordinary player. His positional play is impeccable and his ability to counter attack is invaluable.
The Bulldogs currently top the log, but a defeat to their neighbours whom they beat in Port Elizabeth in the first round could prove disastrous. — Sapa
Border Bulldogs: 15. Tiger Mangweni, 14. Ian Fihlani, 13. Fergus Kennedy, 12. Vusumzi Mbulali, 11. Akona Ndungane, 10. Reinhard Gerber, 9. Dru Nass, 8. Pietie Loots (captain), 7. Zolani Mofu, 6. Marcel van der Walt, 5. Lean Combrinck, 4. Bruce Cumming, 3. Michael Coetzee, 2. Duane Kirton, 1. Alastair Lyon.
Reserves: 16.Dylan Edwards, 17. Herman Louw, 18. Bennie Jacobs, 19. Derek Hendry, 20. Russell Jeacocks, 21. Adam Robertson, 22. Werner Coetzer.