Smal would someday like to return to help beleaguered Border Bulldogs: 'It's obviously sad'

Bulls Currie Cup coach Gert Smal says he wouldn't mind returning to the beleaguered Border Bulldogs someday when he is not involved with another union.

Border suffered a humiliating 106-7 defeat to the Griffons in their first Currie Cup First Division game in Welkom last week - a sorry disposition for the once-feisty underdogs.

This came against the backdrop of people toasting the region's contribution to the successful World Cup Springbok side that included former Border backline players and world-beaters Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am.

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The Boks also have analyst Lindsey Weyer whose father Wayne played flyhalf for more than a decade for the Bulldogs.

The East London-based union is in a derelict state. They've been in South African Rugby Union (SARU) administration since 2018 after former president Pumlani Mkolo and his executive were made to step aside ala Zelt Marais at Western Province Rugby Union.

Smal, who coached the Bulldogs between 1998 and 1999, said the situation was sad but required a complete audit to troubleshoot the myriad problems.

"It's obviously sad - a bit like what happened to Western Province in the past," said Smal.

"I really had a good time with Border and it tested me as a young coach when I started there.

"I had great relationships with a lot of good individuals down there, so it's sad to see.

"And, if ever I'm not involved with any team, I would like to go and help out there.

"It's all about what systems are in place, so it's difficult to say [whether the union is devalued].

"I don't want to comment on what they're doing down there but you have to go into the system to see exactly what they're doing, how they're handling the