Border U21 will hope it’s third time lucky in the SA Rugby U21 Shield when they face provincial rivals Eastern Province at the Madibaz Stadium on Friday in Gqeberha.
In their past two games against Boland and SWD, the Baby Bulldogs were left kicking themselves after narrow losses in matches that they should have grabbed by the neck.
Three yellow cards proved costly when they slumped to a 31-24 defeat against the Eagles at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, and in the opener against Boland in the Western Cape, they could not pin down Boland despite having a numerical advantage after the home team had players in the sin bin.
In Gqeberha, they will have to make sure that discipline and execution are on point because a loss against their Eastern Cape neighbours could make it difficult for them in the standings.
After the EP game, three games remain for Border in which they will contest the reverse fixtures of the opponents they have faced.
Border are at the bottom of the south log with four points, all from losing bonus points.
Above them are SWD with five points, EP with six and Boland with 10 points.
The top two teams will qualify for the semifinals.
The northern-based teams are the Pumas, Limpopo Blue Bulls, Griquas and Griffons.
For the EP game, Border have made some positional changes in their starting line-up.
Siseko Mani, who played eighthman in the SWD game last week, has been shifted to lock in place of Liyema Hlitane, who misses out on the match-day 23.
Azasakhe Phuwani, who was on the bench, will start at blindside flank, with Yanga Gazi moving to No 8.
In a surprise move, Sinalo Jivana, who started at flyhalf in the Boland and SWD games, will be at scrumhalf for the EP game.
Ndinani Tom will wear the number 10 jersey, while Ukho Nomsatha is the second new face in the backline, in place of Elam Kuse.
With the changes made by Border, especially in the forwards, the Baby Elephants say they are expecting a tough physical encounter.
Coach Shaun Oliver said: “Border are a physical side, so we must be sure we are up to the task.
“EP want to focus on what we are doing well and improve on a lot of errors we made against Boland last week.”
The Border team is: Mihlali Nohoyeka, Mivuyo Tywayi, Yoyisa Mahobe, Siseko Mani, Caleb Radcliffe, Alizwa Majila, Azasakhe Majila, Yanga Gazi, Sinalo Jivana, Yolisa Kasi, Ndinani Tom, Siyamthanda Sakhele, Xhobanai SIthetho, Ukho Nomsatha. Replacements: Liyabona Matyana, Elihle Mtshemba, Mawande Sotewu, Siyolise Mocksini, SIbabalwe Matshini, Abongile Yeye, Lakheni Majali, Thandoluhle Ngubani
Daily Dispatch
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