Kruisfontein ready to put all on the line

● Home side up for brutal Super 14 final battle with East London Police

Kruisfontein United’s players will put their bodies on the line when they fight to make history by winning the Eastern Cape Super 14 club rugby title for the first time tomorrow, coach Frank Domingo said.

Standing in Kruisfontein’s way are an in-form East London Police outfit who have swept all before them during an impressive unbeaten run which has carried them to the final in style.

Kruisfontein are also unbeaten and both sides sailed through their group and knockout matches to set up a brutal battle for supremacy at the Sports Complex in Humansdorp.

“The hunger for success drives the boys to put their bodies on the line for the club,” Domingo said.

“Our showing in reaching the final has really united the community and the whole of Humansdorp and the Kouga region is behind the boys.

“It was emotional to see the crowd cheer on the team after winning the semifinal on Tuesday against Swallows.

“We will never underestimate the role these crowds in purple played for us in reaching the final.

“The performance of our team is really the talk of the town and everyone wants to be associated with the purple force.

“The support grows week after week and it helps with extra motivation for the players.”

The wary Kruisfontein coach is aware a physical and well-drilled Police side will pose a big threat to his team’s hopes of glory.

“Kruisfontein know Police have a big pack of forwards and will run hard at us and their set pieces and mauls are working well,” Domingo said.

“With our style of playing and our attacking abilities, it will create opportunities for a high-scoring game and we know the fans love tries.

“The Kruisfontein players were very excited and overwhelmed about reaching the final for the first time after so many attempts in the past.

“They are now even more determined to make this year’s competition the best by winning it in front of their home fans.

“There was no time for celebrations after beating Swallows because the guys know they have a big job on Saturday.

“We had a nice pool session after the semifinal win so the boys were able to have a little bit of fun.

“EL Police were always the leaders in their group so there was always the possibility of meeting them in the final.

“We have had an opportunity to see Police playing and will surely capitalise on their shortcomings

“Kruisfontein will stick to what has worked for us thus far and make sure we fine-tune the areas where we need to step up.”

Police president Bonga Mtunjani said he had already reserved a space in the cabinet for the trophy, underlining the confidence he has in his players.

“We are going there to win the trophy, no two ways about it,” he said.

Mtunjani lamented the elimination of Mdantsane side Swallows by Kruisfontein in Tuesday’s semifinal, saying he had wanted the final to involve two Border teams for the first time.

“Since the competition started, no two Border teams have contested the final while EP have been able to take their teams to battle for the trophy.

“We would have loved to play the final against another Border team but here we are now.

“Police could not have gone this far had it not been for our supporters and on Saturday we want to reward them by winning the trophy.”