The Border Bulldogs technical team camouflaged their second century loss in the SA Cup, saying the Pumas were a professional outfit and they were semi-professional.
They insisted the weekend’s heavy defeat had not diminished the morale in the camp, even though it was one of the team’s worst losses.
Head coach Dumisani Mhani was optimistic on Monday before this week’s training camp for their next game against the Boland Kavaliers that they could improve.
The 110-7 humiliation at the hands of the Pumas was the team’s fourth century loss in the last 12 months and the second in just under four weeks.
The defeat has created a surge of dissatisfaction in Border rugby communities, with detractors on social media questioning the player roster.
However, Mhani took a philosophical view of the defeat despite it being the fifth loss on the trot in the campaign so far and that it meant their chances of qualification for promotion to the Currie Cup, which they last won way back in 1934, were slimming.
He said his team were taking lessons from the heavy defeats and eventually the puzzle pieces would fit together.
Having been forced to use an experimental side made up of players from development teams, Mhani insisted he would soldier on in the remaining four matches.
“We were overwhelmed by the occasion,” he said.
“You could see the Pumas were the best team on that day.
“You could see the big difference between the professional and semi-professional sides.
“However, we can’t be complaining. We have to soldier on.
“It is not the end of the world.”
The Bulldogs will have to recover fast from the mauling and regroup before another away clash, against the Kavaliers at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
The Kavaliers were among teams which racked up 100-plus points in 2024, meaning the Bulldogs will have to be wary of them.
They are among the teams contesting for the top four in the competition.
However, the Griquas showed their pedigree once more by defeating them 42-36 in a competitive clash in Kimberley on Friday afternoon.
The defending SA Cup champions fought back from a 17-14 halftime deficit to eventually outscore the Kavaliers by six tries to five, recording a fifth win to keep their winning streak intact.
Daily Dispatch
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