There will be a massive focus on defensive tactics as the EP Elephants prepare for a tough game against a Free State XI in Mossel Bay on Saturday, EP captain Lubabalo “Giant” Mtyanda said.
       EP are determined to make a strong challenge for honours in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, and they took a huge stride forward when they thrashed the SWD Eagles 59-31 on Saturday.
          But, even though Mtyanda was pleased with the SWD victory, he warned that hard work lay ahead of the team on the training pitch.
       “I am very happy with how the guys played in Kwazakhele in our  first home game of the season against the Eagles,” Myanda said.
       “But there are a few things that we need to work on in defence. When were  on attack we looked good and our ball carriers were strong.
           “I was also impressed with our physicality, specially when we had ball in hand. Now our main focus will be on bringing more physicality to our defence.
        “That will be our main focus ahead of the Free Sate game. I was not happy with our defence towards the end, because we need to do those double tackles and to bring more physicality into our defence in the red zone.”
        Mtyanda said the win would give the Elephants fresh energy for the Free State clash.
       “Now we can expect a team with  more confidence against the Free Staters and the guys will have much more enthusiasm.
      “This was a big confidence booster,  specially for the guys coming into the side from clubs and PRO14.
    “The PRO14 guys were not playing at all and now they get a confidence booster from playing in a game like this where there was physicality and pace.
     “Now we will be taking it game by game, and I can promise we will be bringing our side.”
         After running in nine dazzling tries during a comprehensive win over the Eagles, EP Elephants head coach Chumani Booi has called on his players to keep their foot on the pedal.
       The try scorers for the Elephants were Richmond Gora (2), Mike Botha, Luvuyo Pupuma,  Rynardt van Wyk, Mhlali Mpafi, Oliver Zono, Diego Williams, and Meli Rokoua.
               After leading 33-7 at the break, Booi said he was concerned his team faded towards the end.
           “I would loved for us to have played for the full 80 minutes, but I must say we kind of  faded a bit towards the end.”
      Thanks to their tearaway start, the Elephants forced the Eagles to play catch-up rugby in what turned into a 14-try feast for the crowd.
       All the usual suspects delivered strong performances in week two of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge with the  Blue Bulls and Golden Lions posting the biggest scores of the weekend.
      The Pretoria side had too much in the tank  for the  Welwitschias, beating the visitors 87-21 at Loftus Versfeld, while the men from Johannesburg found the trip to Wolmaransstad to their liking, beating the Leopards 55-27.
     The defending champions from Nelspruit, the  Pumas, had to bank on a late try to beat the Falcons in Brakpan, while  Griquas, twice runners up in the competition, remained undefeated in the North Section by beating the Griffons in a hard-fought affair in Welkom.
    Results:
North Section:
  Griffons 26 (12), Griquas 35 (24)
Falcons 19 (14),Pumas 26 (19)
 Leopards 27 (8), Golden Lions XV 55 (27)
Blue Bulls 87 (49), Welwitschias 21 (0)
 
South Section:
Zimbabwe Academy 14 (0),  Sharks XV 36 (14)
Border Bulldogs 24 (7), Western Province 48 (13).
Boland 21 (21), Free State XV 10 (0)
EP Elephants 59 (33), SWD Eagles 31 (7)