Favourites Hogs battle Jaguars in final
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 28, 2015 14:10
Jaguars defied odds in their debut season to make their way to the final.
The side out-kicked and out-muscled league defending champions, UB Rhinos in the semi-final played last Friday.
Hogs’ leap to the final was a walk in the park when they stunned BDF Cheetahs 21-3.
The Gaborone giants have beaten Jaguars twice this season.
Hogs are the most decorated in the league having won the title more than any club in the country. In recent times they have won the league title in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
Hogs coach, Andrew Paxinos told Mmegi Sport yesterday that they have had a good season but are not expecting an easy final. He said they do not expect to have it easy on the day. He said teams normally raise their game in the final.
He said there would be changes to the Hogs line-up due to injuries picked in the last match.
He expects Tshepiso Ntebe (loose prop), Rolaid Megan (prop), Jeremy Babage (attacker) and Hugo Botha (attacker) to carry the day. Paxinos said players have been on form this season. “We did not do special training for the final. We are going to stick to our strength. I am aware that Jaguars has some good players and I foresee them playing for the national team in future,” said Paxinos.
Jaguars’ spokesperson, Pako Mhonda said reaching the final is a dream come true for the club. He said the moral is high in the camp ahead of the game. He said when the league started, they expected a top four finish and reaching the final is a big achievement.
“We are not going to put ourselves under pressure on the day. The plan is to go out there and play good rugby. We just have to stick to what we know and everything else will fall into place,” said Mhonda.
Players who are expected to give Hogs a hard time are Neal Mosimane (flanker), Ronaldo Fortune (fullback) and Dent Patrick. Mhonda said Patrick’s main strength is the ability to carry the ball up the field and he is a physical player while Mosimane is a good tackler. Fortune is regarded as a fast player.
Jaguars go into the final without Gaone Mogomotsi, Maitlamo Motswane and Ishmael Pelaelo who picked injuries in last weekend’s encounter.
Mhonda explained they have made changes in the back line as it is important to have more speed. He said they have learnt that they have to be physical in order to succeed in the A Division.