Fort Hare eyeing big scalp
FNB Fort Hare are hoping to continue their climb up the Border Super League log when they take on the table-topping Winter Roses this weekend before setting off for the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Week in Wellington.
Fort Hare have been very competitive in the local club competition this year and are currently in third position, just one point behind the second-placed Buffalo from East London.
The team that secures top spot at the conclusion of the league fixtures will represent the region at the National Club Championships in Stellenbosch later this year and head coach Elliot Fana is determined to finish on top of the standings.
He explained to varsitycup.co.za that although he would be taking his best team to Wellington, their focus very much remained on the Border Super League given the tantalising prize for securing first place.
"(Obviously) going to the USSA week is a great opportunity and it will be a privilege to test ourselves against the best universities in the country, but it will be slightly disruptive to our club campaign," said Fana.
"We are playing Winter Roses this weekend just before we leave - that is a very important game for us - and then we face the East London Police side who are just behind us on the log soon after we get back, so the timing is not ideal," he explained.
Fana said that he would be taking about half of the squad that contested the Varsity Shield this year to Wellington next week as some players have left the club while other have fallen to injury in recent times.
One player who will be there is the explosive Garth van Rayner who was named the Varsity Shield Player that Rocked in the inaugural tournament earlier this year and Fana is expecting great things of the speedy winger.
Despite the focus on the Border Super League, Fort Hare will be taking their strongest possible team down to the USSA Week and their coach is confident that they will give a good account of themselves.
He commented: "The USSA week is a great platform for Fort Hare and even though it comes in between some important league games for us we will give it everything in Wellington."
Fana's team will come up against the FNB NMMU Madibaz in their first game on Monday, July 4 - something of a Border-EP derby - and face further fixtures on Wednesday, July 6 and Friday, July 8 against opponents which will be determined by results in previous fixtures.
Border Super League log:
(Under played, won, points)
1. Winter Roses 9, 8, 34
2. Buffalo 9, 6, 29
3. Fort Hare 9, 6, 28
4. East London Police 9, 5, 26
5. Old Selbornian 9, 5, 24
6. Cambridge 9, 4, 19
7. Swallows 9, 1, 7
8. Berlin Tigers 9, 0, 3
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