South African Rugby Union

11th September 2015

The educated boot of South Western District Eagles’ flyhalf Leighton Eksteen was the basic difference between the two sides in an exciting Absa Currie Cup First Division match between the Border bulldogs and the Eagles played at a cool, windless Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Friday.

In the end there was 12 points in it, with the Eagles winning 31-19 and Eksteen succeeding with four penalties and two conversions for a personal  tally of 16 points.

But the game was closer than the score suggests. With ten or 11 minutes left for play Border were lagging behind 19-26  but a last-minute try  by  reserve utility back Mthangola Skosana  out the game out of reach of the home team with a try on the far left side.

The half-time score was 13-5 in the Eagles’ favour.

The game was played at a frenetic pace throughout with  both sides determined to score tries and a number of kickable penalties  went  to lineouts as the sides sought vital bonus points.

But Eksteen dictated matters and on the night only missed one kick out of seven, a difficult one on the left touchline in the dying seconds of the game.

“We’re happy to go home with the four points,” said an ecstatic Eagles coach, Bevin Fortuin. “It’s always tough playing Border in East London. Our work rate was good and we made a few mistakes but we’re glad to take the points with us.”

In contrast the Border coach Elliot Fana lamented the loss. Ahead for Border are two games against the Leopards away and the Boland Cavaliers at home.

“In the first quarter we put the opposition under enormous pressure but handling errors cost us  when we were close to scoring. We’re playing beautiful rugby but the results are not forthcoming,” said Fana.  

Point-scorers: Border Bulldogs (5) 19:  Try to prop Buhle Mxunyelwa, scrumhalf Ntando Kebe, fullback Masixole Banda. Conversion:  Banda  (2).

SWD Eagles:  (13) 31:  Try: wing Alshaun Bock,  Reserve utility back Mthangola Skosana (2).  Penalties:  Flyhalf Leighton Eksteen (4). Conversions: Eksteen (2).