Kavaliers outmuscle the Bulls in wet Wellington

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers got the better of a very spirited Vodacom Bulls XV 24-10 in a tight Round One clash of the Carling Currie Cup.

The final match of the opening round was played in front of a packed Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington. Tough conditions underfoot set up a battle of strengths as the teams kept possession tight among both packs of forwards.

The home side were the first on the scoreboard after a relentless passage of attacking phases.

Pressure mounted for the Vodacom Bulls XV as they were unable to neutralise the driving onslaught, resulting in Joshua Eras crashing over for his first Currie Cup try.

James Tedder added the extras, 7-0.

For about 20 minutes it was a back-and-forth tussle, predominantly between the two packs of forwards, with the Kavaliers enjoying much of the possession during this period.

Dayan van der Westhuizen broke the deadlock when he cantered across the whitewash following a series of attacking phases.

The front rower’s 26th-minute five-pointer is his fifth Currie Cup try. Jayden Bantom, who took over the kicking duties from Tedder, succeeded with his conversion attempt, 14-0. Players headed into the halftime break with a 14-3 lead.

The second half saw the visitors strike first when Shaun Schürmann crashed over for his side’s first and only try of the match.

Keagan Johannes’ conversion attempt took the score to 14-10 as the final quarter approached.

A late surge by the home side following a 25-metre driving maul saw referee Griffon Colby award the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers with a penalty try.

Final score in Wellington: Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 24-10 Vodacom Bulls XV

SCORERS:
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 24 (14)
Tries: Joshua Eras, Dayan van der Westerhuizen, Penalty Try
Cons: James Tedder, Jayden Bantom
Pens: Bantom

Vodacom Bulls: 10 (3)
Try: Shaun Schürmann
Con: Keagan Johannes
Pen: Johannes

TEAMS:
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 15 James Tedder, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (c), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Johnré Stopforth, 20 Gift Dlamini, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Domenic Smit

Vodacom Bulls XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Hakeem Kunene, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 PA van Niekerk, 11 Riyaad Bam, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Brooklyn Newman, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Nama Xaba (c), 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Jaundre Schoeman, 1 Dylan Smith
Replacements: 16 Shaun Schürmann, 17 Damian Baker, 18 Dian Coetzee, 19 Cephas van Biljon, 20 Chinedu Amadi, 21 Viaan Mentor, 22 Christiaan Vlok, 23 JJ Mdlokothi

Feature image: Jayden Bantom of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers during the 2026 Carling Currie Cup Round 1 match between the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and the Vodacom Bulls at the Boland Rugby Stadium, Wellington. Photo credit: Boland Rugby Media/Luigi Bennett