Kavas bag five valuable log points in testing conditions

The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers picked up five valuable log points when they beat the Leopards 12-33 in Potchefstroom on Friday evening, 24 April, in Round Seven of the 2026 SA Cup competition.

A match marred by wet and muddy conditions saw the visitors build on a comfortable 7-19 half-time lead, outscoring the Leopards by five tries to two.

With just two rounds left in the tournament, the win moves the men from Wellington closer to the all-important top four finish that comes with an automatic qualification to this year’s Carling Currie Cup Premier Division showpiece.

Jade Stighling and Jayden Bantom got over the try line with Domenic Smit crossing the whitewash two minutes into extra time in the opening stanza, to round up the first half tries for the Kavaliers.

The boot of James Tedder kept the scoreboard ticking over with the fly-half managing two conversions from his three attempts before he picked up an injury, a suspected concussion.

Tries for the visitors came via Naiden Jaarts and loose forward Ghudian van Reenen, but it was the physicality and discipline of the visitors that helped them enjoy quality ball.

Smit’s try came from some great interplay with the teams heading into the sheds with the scoreboard firmly in favour of the visiting team.

The elusive running and clinical defence of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers meant they could use the opportunities they created to good effect.

Replacement front rower Dewald Maritz and right winger Duren Hoffman both added their names to the try scoring column for the season.

Bantom took over the kicking duties from Tedder as he slotted two conversions, taking his personal tally for the match to nine points.

The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers will travel to Mbombela to face the in-form Airlink Pumas on Sunday, 3 May.

Scorers:
Leopards: 12 (7) Tries: Naiden Jaarts, Ghudian Van Reenen Con: Jandré Burger

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 33 (19) Tries: Jade Stighling, Jayden Bantom, Domenic Smit, Dewald Maritz, Duren Hoffman Cons: James Tedder (2), Jayden Bantom (2)

TEAMS:
Leopards: 15 Shaun Baxter, 14 Sino Tshontyi, 13 Indiphile Tyeda, 12 Brandon Keevy, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 10 Jandré Burger, 9 Daimon O’Connel, 8 Adri Kermis, 7 Ghudian van Reenen, 6 Arminn Posthumus, 5 Stephen Taylor, 4 Babalo Makana, 3 Munashe Mhere, 2 Jason Alexander (capt), 1 Tatenda Chayayi
Replacements: 16 Liyema Mgwigwi, 17 Rowan Mitchell, 18 Werner Geldenhuys, 19 Gcino Mdletshe, 20 Godfrey Sebokolodi, 21 Divan Pieters, 22 Hlumelo Ndudula, 23 Noegh Hayward

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Duren Hoffman, 13 Xavier Mitchell, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 James Tedder, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Jeandre Leonard, 4 Marlyn Williams, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede
Replacements: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Doctor Booysen, 19 Michael Mutombo, 20 Sauliegh Arendse, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Chris Smit, 23 Jayden Bantom

Venue: Olen Park, Potchefstroom
Date: Friday, 24 April 2026
Time: 18:30
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen