First Division, Round Two teams

PREVIEW: The Border Bulldogs and SWD Eagles kick off this weekend’s second-round First Division action.

They clash on Friday, with both teams looking for their first win of the new competition.

On Saturday, the Griffons, who lost their opening-round match against the Falcons in Welkom, face another tough assignment when Eastern Province visit them.

The remaining fixture takes place in Kempton Park, where the Falcons host Leopards at the Barnard Stadium.

Border will fancy their chances against the Eagles at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.

Although they finished the SA Cup without any wins, the Bulldogs gave good account of themselves at home, so SWD – who lost a thrilling encounter to EP by five points last week – will have to step up their defence if they want to leave East London victorious.

The Bulldogs were also on the losing end last week against Leopards in Potchefstroom, so Friday’s encounter with SWD could see one of the teams grab their first win of the new campaign.

The Eagles won their previous meeting in this competition last year by 45-26 in George.

The Griffons, who completed in the Currie Cup in the last two seasons, failed in their qualification attempt during the SA Cup, and with a 10-point loss to the Falcons already on their books, they would want to bounce back as soon as possible.

However, they face a tough encounter against EP, who have the potential to upset away from home.

The men from Port Elizabeth beat the Griffons in their SA Cup clash in May, but their last visit to the Northern Free State in the First Division ended in a convincing 45-16 victory for the Griffons.

The Leopards and Falcons – who clash on the East Rand this week – are leading the standings alongside EP, with all three teams on five points after the first round last weekend.

The Falcons will hope that home-ground advantage in Kempton Park will tip the scales in their favour.

The East Randers won last season’s fixture between the two sides 45-35 in Potchefstroom, while the Leopards’ previous win in this fixture was in May 2022, when they won 25-15 at Olen Park.

All the Roubnd Two fixtures and teams

Friday, June 20

Border Bulldogs v SWD Eagles
(Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane – Kick-off: 18.00; 16.00 GMT)

Teams

Border Bulldogs: TBC

Eagles: 15 Roshwin Abrahams, 14 Rosco Syster, 13 Clive Kruger, 12 Marquit September, 11 Mpho Ntsane, 10 JP Duvenhage, 9 Sachin Toring, 8 Leighton van Wyk, 7 Dian Basson, 6 Damon Royle (captain), 5 Ian Alexander, 4 Azola Mati, 3 Hlomla Zondani, 2 Stephan Leonard, 1 Tandolwetu Matolengwe.
Replacements: 16 Marco Fuhri, 17 Cole Haggard, 18 Stefaan Grundlingh, 19 Michael Cloete, 20 Anroy Roelofse, 21 Keegan Schaefer, 22 Edwin Sass, 23 Marlo Weich.

Referee: Daniel Canhenga

Saturday, June 21

Griffons v Eastern Province
(NorthWest Stadium, Welkom – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)

Teams

Griffons: 15 Qamani Kota, 14 Christiaan Nel, 13 Ngia Selengbe, 12 Chris Hollis, 11 Quan Eymann, 10 Kyle Cyster, 9 Richman Gora, 8 Ulrich Stander, 7 Calla Pienaar, 6 Mingo Piti, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Lungisile Mbiko, 3 Buhle Nojekwa, 2 Willem van den Hever, 1 Xolani Jacobs
Replacements: 16 Chadley Wenn, 17 Simon Westraadt, 18 Mthokozisi Gumede, 19 Joshua Paris, 20 Curtly Thomas, 21 Jared Kruger, 22 Fazeel Robertson, 23 Kabelo Makoena.

TBC

Referee: Caleb Hibbert

Falcons v Leopards
(Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)

Teams

TBC

Referee: Lulutho Matomela