SANLAM Boland Kavaliers can hold their hands high despite going down 67-19 to the ADT Lions in Saturday’s 2025 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final at Ellis Park.
It was the first time in the professional era of South African rugby that Boland had reached a knockout game of the Currie Cup’s top flight, having played in a semi-final way back in 1969.
In reaching that milestone they had set for themselves at the beginning of the Currie Cup campaign, the Wellington-based outfit, however, found the going tough against a Lions team bolstered by a few Springboks and United Rugby Championship (URC) regulars.
And a first-half blitzkrieg by the experienced Lions saw the home side take a 41-5 halftime lead as the Kavas struggled to find cohesion on defence and attack. The Lions pounced on Boland’s errors from the get-go as winger Angelo Davids crossed for a first-half hat-trick while Henco van Wyk (a brace) and SJ Kotze also dotted down.
Boland made sure they had the last say in the first half as Sidney Tobias went over for a try from a lineout maul. The Lions started the second half as they did the first, with their unrelenting attack and direct play leading to a penalty try after James Tedder was adjudged to have slapped the ball down with the Lions a man over.
Davids then scored his fourth as Springbok Quan Horn also dotted down to put the game away.
That, however, did not stop the Kavas as they showed some good fight in the latter stages, with Jayden Bantom and Chriswill September each scoring two converted tries.
But the home side would have the final say as Renzo du Plessis scored the Johannesburg side’s tenth of the night.
SCORERS: Fidelity ADT Lions 67 (41) – Tries: Angelo Davids (4), Henco van Wyk (2), SJ Kotze, penalty try, Quan Horn, Renzo du Plessis. Conversions: Chris Smith (6). Penalty Goal: Smith. Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 19 (5) – Tries: Sidney Tobias, Jayden Bantom, Chriswell September. Conversions: James Tedder (2)
TEAMS:
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha (captain), 1 SJ Kotze Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 15 James Tedder, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (captain), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 7 Khwezi Mafu, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Ameer Hendricks, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthozisi Gumede Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Jurie van Vuuren, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers know they have a lot of work to do before they play in next week’s semi-finals of the Carling Black Label Currie Cup. The Wellington side went down 40-22 after holding onto a slender 7-8 lead against the DHL Western Province.
This was the final round-robin match, and head coach Hawies Fourie’s men will have to wait on the results from the remaining Round Seven games to know who they will be playing and where.
The loss against a DHL WP side had some DHL Stormers players, who are preparing for the upcoming Vodacom URC competition. Three yellow cards and numerous penalties conceded by the visitors allowed the DHL WP side to extend their lead and keep the scoreboard pressure firmly in place.
Juan Mostert’s first-half penalty sent the players into the sheds with the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers hanging onto a one-point lead.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 06: Spectators looking on during the Carling Currie Cup match between DHL Western Province and Sanlam Boland Cavaliers at DHL Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
The experience of the Cape side’s stars began to filter through in the second half as lock Adre Smith barnstormed his way over the line before Leolin Zas dotted down in the left corner to break open the game.
Smith’s second try put further daylight between Province and the Kavas. Xavier Mitchell’s disallowed try swung the scoreboard in favour of the hosts from the resulting scrum. Moster’s pass to Mitchell was adjudged to have travelled forward. This turned the momentum when Jonathan Roche and Marcell Theunissen both crossed the whitewash in quick succession.
There was still hope of the Kavas clinching a bonus point when Donovan Don and Llewellyn Classen scored their side’s second and third tries, respectively.
However, it was the home side’s experience that saw them across the lines and shut the proverbial door, leaving the Kavas with a wait to see if results in their favour in Saturday’s remaining fixtures will see them hold on to a home semifinal spot.
SCORERS:
DHL WP 40 (7)- Tries: Vernon Matongo, Adre Smit (2), Leolin Zas, Jonathan Roche, Marcell Theunissen. Conversions: Jurie Mathee (5)
SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS 22 (8) – Tries: Dayan van der Westhuizen, Donovan Don, Llewellyn Classen. Conversions: Jayden Bantom, Donovan Don. Penalty: Juan Mostert.
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers remain in the second place on the Carling Currie Cup log despite falling short against the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in Pietermaritzburg, 33-31
With a minute left, Boland took the lead for the first time following a James Tedder 77th-minute penalty goal to put them 31-30 up. Despite the loss, the Wellington side remains in the hunt for the semi-final spot.
Captain Thurlow Marsh, however, said afterwards his team was not good enough on the day, especially after conceding a 17-7 halftime lead and again having to dig deep to fight back in the second half.
After converted tries by Jacques Marais and Albie Bester, the hosts put the Kavas on the back foot. They replied through a Sauliegh Arendse score just before halftime, with Tedder adding the extras.
Jean Smith’s penalty goal, however, made sure the Sharks had a 10-point buffer going into the break, 17-7. Smith picked up where he left off in the opening stanza, slotting another penalty, putting the home side ahead by two scores, 20-7.
Marais’ second five-pointer for the home side, however, put Boland under more scoreboard pressure. Still, it did not faze coach Hawies Fourie’s men, who worked themselves back into a scoring position for prop Dayan van der Westhuizen to dive over from close range.
Smith’s third successful penalty goal then made it 30-21 for the Sharks with less than 20 minutes to play. Boland, however, hit back with their fourth and bonus point try as HP van Schoor crashed over. Another attacking foray then saw Tedder line up a penalty attempt at goal. He converted, handing the Kavas the lead for the first time in the Round Six encounter.
Unfortunately, a lack of concentration in the dying moments cost the visitors, who now sit on 23 points and face neighbours DHL WP next week, where it will be all to play for as Boland hunt that semi-final spot.
SCORERS: Hollywoodbets Sharks XV 33 (17) – Tries: Jacques Marais (2), Albie Bester, Cons: Jean Smith (3), Pens: Smith (3) and Siya Masuku Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 31 (7) – Tries: Sauliegh Arendse, Donovan Don, Dayan van der Wethuizen, and HP van Schoor Cons: James Tedder (4) Pen: Tedder
TEAMS:
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Diego Apollis, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Christie Grobbelaar, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Ceano Everson, 8 Nicholas Hatton (captain), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Coetzee Le Roux, 3 Mawande Mdanda, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jaco Williams. Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 15 James Tedder, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Erik Lambrecht, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (captain), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Jurie van Vuuren, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper. Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Khwezi Mafu, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 David Brits, 23 Domenic Smit.
Erik Lambrecht is loving his impact role after making his Carling Currie Cup Premier Division debut off the replacement bench in Sanlam Boland Kavaliers’ convincing 29-10 win over the Fidelity ADT Lions.
Since that win, Lambrecht, schooled at famous rugby school Boland Landbou, has made three appearances off the bench as the Kavas downed the Vodacom Bulls 28-20 in Round Four and Airlink Pumas 29-26 in this past weekend’s Round Five clash in Mbombela.
The win over the Pumas was Boland’s first Carling Currie Cup away win of the season and one that cemented their place in the Currie Cup semi-finals after fighting back from trailing by 21-3 at halftime at the Mbombela stadium.
With Boland under pressure, coach Hawies Fourie decided to substitute Lambrecht, and the former Bredasdorp Rangers Rugby Club centre player made an immediate impact after breaking the Pumas’ defensive line to set up a try for winger Xavier Mitchell.
Lambrecht did not stop there as he made several impactful attacking runs while also staying solid in defence as the Kavas shut down the Pumas’ attack in the second half. His contribution in Mbombela helped the Kavas reach their early target of qualifying for this season’s Currie Cup semi-finals.
“There was not a direct message from coach Hawies of what my role should be when I get onto the field,” Lambrecht said when asked what Sanlam Boland Kavaliers’ head coach, Hawies Fourie’s message to him was before taking to the field.
“I just knew that coming on off the bench, I have to go out there and make a difference.
“Sometimes you just get that one opportunity and you have to go out and use it. And the guys know I am someone who will always give my 120 per cent and come and make a difference.”
The midfielder also revealed that his role in the Kavas setup is not just that of impact in the backline, but as a hybrid player – much like Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen – that can be utilised as a sixth loose-forward.
But Lambrecht admits it is a role that can be challenging and explains: “It’s always a tough challenge to get yourself mentally up for a game, especially with coach Hawies’ plans of not knowing whether I will be going on in the backline or as flanker.
“But I try and stick to my pre-match routines of keeping things very simple.”
Part of the 24-year-old’s game-ready rituals, he reveals, is trying to watch as much rugby as possible, whether it is watching some club rugby or even early morning international rugby games.
“It just calms me and relaxes me, and then I will also watch old highlight reels of myself playing just to tell myself: ‘I know what to do and that I can play rugby, and you must just go out there and express yourself and tell yourself you are the best guy in that position’,” Lambrecht reveals.
“To play with guys like Xavier Mitchell, Ashlon Davids, Juan Mostert, and David Brits is a privilege.
“Mossie (Mostert), I know from my playing days at school, he is a good ball distributor, and I just love running off his shoulder. Ashlon is our [main] general; he leads us game in and out, he brings calmness and has a lot of time on the ball.
“Xavier, we all know, is the man with that pace on the outside, and it is just important to get the ball to him. I am also getting to learn a lot from David with his Sevens rugby experience. So, it is amazing to get to play with all of them.
“One of my goals was just to be part of the 2025 team that will take part in the Currie Cup Premier Division. We are busy making a name for ourselves, and it is definitely one of my biggest career highlights to be part of this group.”
The Sanlam Boland Under 21 team’s defence of their SA Rugby U21 Shield title got off to a shaky start after a nervy 31-24 win over Border Bulldogs at Boland Stadium in Wellington.
However, Boland U21 head coach Juan de Jongh was satisfied seeing his team secure a bonus-point win that puts them in second position on the log, behind Eastern Province, after the first round.
De Jongh’s men will have a few things that need attention this week, more so because the next two fixtures are both away games.
“Great start for us in terms of getting the victory and getting a bonus point win to get our campaign underway,” said Juan de Jongh, Sanlam Boland U21 head coach. “There are obviously a lot of things that we have and will be working on in the week leading to the next match.
Photo: Wellington, 23 August 2025, Juan de Jongh, head coach of Sanlam Boland U21, ahead of the Sanlam Boland U21 v Border Bulldogs in the SA Rugby U21 Shield competition. Photo by Boland Rugby Media / Ernest Kilowan
“Two away matches coming up, but really satisfied to see a couple of individual players that performed well.”
Boland winger Slade Jacobs opened the scoring for Boland after five minutes as he finished off a great attacking move.
The winger then scored his second as the home side went 10-0 up before Border struck back through a converted try by Siya Sakhela.
Border then took a 14-10 lead as Lakhe Baliso crossed the chalk for a second converted try.
The Bolander would wrestle back the momentum with Renaldo Koker scoring and Tireque Apolles converting as the home side hit the sheds 17-14 up.
Photo: Wellington, 23 August 2025, O’Ryan Jack of Sanlam Boland U21 v Border Bulldogs in the SA Rugby U21 Shield competition. Photo by Boland Rugby Media / Ernest Kilowan
Enrico Giani then got in on the scoring action after halftime with his converted try, putting Boland 24-14 ahead. But Boland’s 10-point lead was cut in half when Siphenathi April went over for the visiting side’s third try.
Koker then bagged his brace as Boland went 31-19 up with Apolles kicking a third conversion.
The home side could not stop Border securing two bonus points as Sakhela went over for his second try of the day, making sure the Eastern Cape side also bagged a point for losing the game by a margin of seven.
De Jongh’s side next travels to Gqeberha, where they will face log leaders Eastern Province this coming Saturday at the De Wet Stadium in Despatch.
SCORERS:
SANLAM BOLAND U21 – Tries: Slade Jacobs (2), Ronaldo Koker (2) and Enrico Giani. Conversions: Tireque Apolles (3)
