Publications
Partners
Dukisa was only on the field for 48 minutes before he limped off with an apparent ankle injury but the pivot managed to score a try and kick a conversion and three penalties as Border recorded their first win over SWD since September 2008.
The victory was only Border’s second of the season while the Eagles, who began the match in third position on the points-table, would have been left scratching their heads as to how they did not manage to win the game.
The Eagles dominated territory and possession for large swathes of the match but they were unable to break down a stubborn Border defence despite the best efforts of SWD centre Jeff Taljard who was a willing runner throughout the game.
Border opened up an early 6-3 lead thanks to two penalties from Dukisa with Eagles fullback Elric van Heerden replying with a penalty of his own before Border provided the moment of the match thanks to a scintillating try which started in the home side’s own 22-metre area.
Bulldogs centre Byron Mcguigan intercepted a loose pass before feeding left wing Onke Dubase who set off on a run which split the Eagles’ defence.
The ball then travelled through the hands of impressive scrumhalf Sinovuyo Nyoka and inside centre Chumani Booi before Dukisa was on hand to round the move off before he converted his own try as Border jumped in to a 13-3 lead after 15 minutes.
The Eagles, in a match that kicked-off in glorious late afternoon sunshine, seemed to be the dominant side and they had 74 percent of the possession in the first half while they only had to make 18 tackles to the 72 made by Border.
The visitors worked their way into Border’s 22 on a number of occasions but they lacked the composure to finish off promising scoring situations, although Border must take credit for putting up a superb, scrambling defence.
Van Heerden narrowed the gap slightly with two penalties but Dukisa slotted his third penalty in the 31st minute as Border went to the break holding a 16-9 lead.
The second half provided more of the same with the Eagles spending the third quarter camped in Border’s half but once again they lacked a cutting edge in attack.
Replacement flyhalf Dale Sabbagh compounded the Eagles’ inability to finish off their chances when the Border man popped over a drop-goal, from close range, in the 60th minute.
Border seemed to be cruising to victory but a yellow-card to fullback Thembani Mkokeli for a high and late tackle in the 72nd minute invigorated the Eagles and, three minutes later, hooker Martin Ferreira barged his way over from close-range for a converted try.
Border were leading by just three points with five minutes remaining but they managed to keep theri composure to hang on for a famous victory.
Scorers
Border Bulldogs – Try: Ntabeni Dukisa; Conversion: Dukisa; Penalties: Dukisa (3); Drop-goal: Dale Sabbagh.
SWD Eagles – Try: Martin Ferreira; Conversion: Elric van Vuuren; Penalties: Van Vuuren (3).
