Q&A with Happy Mashabela

NMMU student Kiviet Cewu managed to catch up with NMMU Madibaz captain - and scrumhalf - Happy Mashabela ahead of today's Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships match against Stellenbosch's Steinhoff Dagbreek at PE's Xerox NMMU Stadium (kick-off 5pm).

(1) Kiviet Cewu (KC): What went wrong in the game against the Nadoes (they lost 21-38 - ed.)?
Happy Mashabela (HM): "Our backline was caught on the back foot, so our defence was bad and we couldn't get any ball moving forward."

(2) KC: What are you guys going to do differently next game?
HM: "We are hoping to tighten things up in our backline, with the introduction of new backs who were unavailable for Cape Town. We've also bolstered our tight five; the forwards hit the gym hard this week in an attempt to increase their strength capacity."

(3) KC: Were you able to take any positives from the Nadoes game?
HM: "I thought Somi (No.8), Gazi (flank) and Luke (lock) were outstanding at times against the Nadoes. They led our attack and put their bodies on the line when it came to defence."

(4) KC: How is the morale of the players and what is management doing to ensure a win?
HM: "They are still as confident as when they were going to play against the Tornadoes. The management, meanwhile, have done their best to ensure that we have the best possible team out there on Monday!"

(5) KC: Playing at NMMU, will it give you guys home-ground advantage... Will that make a big difference?
HM: "It definitely will... with our Madibaz fans supporting us in the stands we are ensured to have an advantage over Dagbreek - they should be prepared for a good running game."

(6) KC: Do you have any injury worries after last week?
HM: "No we haven't, just a few flu incidents, thanks to the weather changes, but they are well taken care of."

(7) KC: As the captain, what do you feel will get you back to winning ways?
HM: "If we can get a good start tonight - winning our set-pieces and getting the ball moving forward - then I think we can be quite devastating. We need to defend with plenty of heart, like we did at UCT last week, and we need to take our points-scoring chances when we get them!"

(8) KC: How do the players feel about the game against Dagbreek (Stellenbosch)?
HM: "The boys are psyched up for the game and ready to put points on the board! Steinhoff Dagbreek are seen as potential semifinalists, so we will certainly know where we stand after tonight."

By Kiviet Cewu