The prestigious Currie Cup Premier Division qualification is within reach for the Wellington side.
Bellville, South Africa – Wednesday, 5 March – The Sanlam Boland Cavaliers are geared and ready for what could prove to be a defining season as they officially announce their 2025 squad, reveal their new kit supplier partnership with Puma, and prepare for their most critical campaign to date.
The opportunity to qualify for the prestigious Currie Cup Premier Division has inspired the Wellington-based side to finish in the top four position on the log, following the conclusion of the round-robin stages on 10 May.
Coinciding with the kit reveal of the men’s team, the Sanlam Boland Dames, who have consolidated their second position on the SA Women’s Premier Division log in the hopes of qualifying for the final, have also unveiled their new playing strip.
The squad announcement and kit unveiling took place at the head office of the title sponsor, Sanlam, in the presence of the Boland Rugby executives, board members, sponsors, stakeholders, journalists, the coaching staff of both the Sanlam Boland Dames and Sanlam Boland Cavaliers.
Both sides will be in action on Saturday, 8 March, at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington. The opening round fixture of the SA Cup for the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers is against the Toyota Cheetahs at 15:00 while the Sanlam Boland Dames will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Sharks Women, in the earlier fixture kicking off at 11:30.
Head coach for the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers, Hawies Fourie, has had a robust pre-season programme by giving every player in the broader squad an opportunity to prove themselves worthy of selection. Sanlam Boland Dames head coach, Thomas Chowles, will be hoping to secure a victory in their final home game in the SA Women’s Premier Division competition. Their final match of the tournament will be against Western Province on 22 March in Cape Town.
“Our season is in our hands, we need to win every game to make the playoffs,” said Chowles as they prepared for their last home game of the competition. “The loss against the Bulls Daisies was a minor setback, however, we cannot afford to slip up again. There are only two matches left, so there is no room for error.”
After securing back-to-back Currie Cup First Division titles in 2023 and 2024, the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers have their sights firmly set on reaching South Africa’s premier domestic rugby competition. The squad, featuring a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent, was unveiled at the event, highlighting Boland Rugby’s commitment to excellence and continued success.
“We have been hard at work during the last few months, every warm-up game was used to refine the structure and get players acquainted with our game plan,” said Fourie ahead of their season opener. “There has been a lot of shuffling within our squad, we allowed every player to prove themselves and work for their position. We are happy with the final squad because every player deserves their spot.”
Bennie van Rooi, President of the Boland Rugby Union, expressed his excitement about the team’s ambitions and the role of club rugby in shaping Boland’s professional outfit.
“This is an exciting time for Boland Rugby as we take another step towards competing at the highest level. Our club structures remain the foundation of our success, and this squad reflects the hard work and dedication of our local players as well as the players who have joined the squad in the last two years. We are proud of head coach Hawies and his management, they are working hard at making Boland Rugby best-in-class. The Sanlam Boland Cavaliers have earned their place in this qualification journey, and we are ready to take on the challenge.”
The partnership with Puma was also unveiled at the launch, with the new playing kit for the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers and Sanlam Boland Dames displayed to the media and fans. Heinrich Punt, General Manager: Intermediaries at Sanlam, emphasised the value of corporate backing in supporting rugby’s growth in the region.
“Sponsorship is more than just financial support; it’s about investing in a team’s journey and the communities they represent. Sanlam is proud to stand behind Boland Rugby as they chase their dream of competing in the Currie Cup Premier Division. The passion and dedication of this team speaks to the values and confidence Sanlam holds dear when seeking to produce excellent results.”
Quintin van Rooyen, CEO of Boland Rugby (Pty) Ltd, outlined the importance of a structured, strategic approach in achieving their long-term objectives.
“A strong vision, a well-prepared squad, and the right partnerships are essential for success at this level. The Cavaliers have been building towards this moment for the past two seasons, and now, with the support of our partners and the commitment of our players, we believe we can take the next step. Our goal is clear: to establish Boland as a force in South African rugby.”
With a powerful squad, a striking new kit, and an unwavering focus on qualification, the 2025 season promises to be a defining one for Boland Rugby. Fans can look forward to an intense campaign as the Cavaliers fight for a place among South Africa’s elite.
The 38-man Sanlam Boland Cavaliers 2025 SA Cup squad in alphabetical order using their surnames:
Garth April
Sauliegh Arendse
Andrew Beerwinkel
Michael Benadie
Emile Booysen
Doctor Booysen
Taine-Randall Booysen
Ashlon Davids
Gift Dlamini
Cornell Engelbrecht
Bentley Geldenhuys
Ameer Hendricks
Cornal Hendricks
Duren Hoffman
Darian Hock
Dian Heunis
Erik Lambrecht
Riaan Louw
Wayrin Losper
Jurick Lewis
Thurlow Marsh
Xavier Mitchell
Khwezi Mafu
Aphelele Madaka
Lamla Nunu
Lunathi Nxele
Schalk Oelofse
Keenan Opperman
Neil Rautenbach
Chriswill September
Domenic Smit
Peter-John Smit
James Tedder
Sidney Tobias
HP van Schoor
Dayan van der Westhuizen
Ludio Williams
Marlyn Williams
Management Sanlam Boland Kavaliers
Head Coach: Hawies Fourie
Assistant Coach: Mornay Kurtz
Assistant Coach: Alshaun Bock
Assistant Coach: Jacquin Jansen
Physiotherapist: Greshne van Wyk
Team Doctor: Dr Byron Haupt
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Iver Aanhuizen
Logistics Manager: Moses Fortuin
Team Manager: Grant Jantjies
Tickets for the SA Cup fixtures can be bought on the official Boland Rugby website, www.bolandrugby.co.za, and at the stadium on matchdays.