Border’s senior rugby teams had contrasting fortunes at the weekend.
Dumisani Mhani’s tenure and the quest to reach the Currie Cup Premier Division started on a bad note as the Border Bulldogs were beaten 55-32 by the Griffons in the SA Cup at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on Saturday.
The Border Ladies claimed the scalp of Free State Women in Bloemfontein in the Women’s Premier Division, beating them 26-14, but they’ve fallen too far behind on the standings to push for a spot in the final.
Eighthman Soso Xakalashe was one of the standout performers for the Bulldogs in Mdantsane as he crossed for two tries, while flyhalf Maxwell Klaasen kicked three successful conversions and two penalty goals.
The Bulldogs made home ground advantage count early on as they scored three of their four tries in the opening half to lead 25-19.
But the men from Welkom found their rhythm after the break and outscored the Bulldogs by four tries to one to register a comfortable win in the end, only allowing their hosts to score again after normal playing time had lapsed.
Griffons left wing Andrew Kota also had a fine individual game as he added six conversions and a penalty goal to his try for a personal tally of 20 points.
Hooker Simon Westraadt helped himself to a hat-trick of tries as the Griffons’ rolling maul created havoc in the second half, while inside centre Chris Hollis went over for a brace of tries.
Though it is not the result the Bulldogs would have wanted, the general performance is something they will be happy with.
The Bulldogs’ next match is against SWD at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday.
SWD are reeling from a huge 75-7 defeat by the Pumas in the opening round in Mbombela at the weekend where they leaked 11 tries.
Border will no doubt pose questions to their defence in the coming round.
In Bloemfontein, Bongani Nogilana’s women outplayed their hosts in an entertaining clash at the Toyota Stadium.
Their decision to move Eloise Webb to flyhalf was a success as the dual Springbok dictated play nicely.
Webb opened the scoring with a well-taken try.
The home side’s Sne Mdletshe pulled one back just before the break, but two quick tries by the visitors soon after the resumption of play pushed them into a 26-7 lead.
Mdletshe scored her second in the 66th minute to give her side a sniff, but that was too little too late.
Daily Dispatch
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