Apr 18, 2026 | Uncategorised
A powerful display of skill, speed, and discipline helped the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers beat the Border Bulldogs 74-5 in a Round Six SA Cup match at the Boland Rugby Stadium on Saturday, 18 April.
The home side got off to a fiery start, scoring four tries in the opening 23 minutes with Xavier Mitchell and Joshua Eras both crossing the tryline twice for the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers’ try bonus-point. Mitchell would go on to score four tries in the match.
Thoroughly outplayed and outscored by 12 tries to one, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers proved to be too strong for the Border Bulldogs.
James Tedder was on song off the tee, converting four of his five attempts in the first half as the players headed into the sheds with a 33-5 lead.
The victory means the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers remain within contention of that all-important top four spots.
Despite the wet and challenging playing conditions, both sides kept spreading the ball wide, giving the backs some quality territory to attack from, entertaining a rather modest Boland Rugby Stadium crowd.
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers picked things right up in the second half, where they left off in the first half. Mitchell completed his hat-trick in the first minute of the second stanza.
Dominant set pieces by the home side meant the speedsters received quality ball to get across the advantage line with ease.
Bantom crossed for his second try following some brilliant and clinical interplay between the backs and forwards, while Sibusiso Sangweni, Bentley Geldenhuys, Jurick Lewis, and Sidney Tobias all added their names to the try-scoring sheet.
A brave effort from the visitors at brief intervals enabled the Border Bulldogs to set up a handful of quality attacking phases, only to be met by an equally clinical Boland defensive effort.
Late surges by both sides meant the match ended on a high intensity note as neither team wanted to back down, but it was the seasoned hardman, Tobias, who had the final say. The replacement hooker dotting down for the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers’ 12th try.
SCORERS:
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 74 (33)
Tries: Xavier Mitchell (4), Joshua Eras (2), Jayden Bantom (2), Sibusiso Sangweni, Bentley Geldenhuys, Jurick Lewis, Sidney Tobias
Cons: James Tedder (7)
Border Bulldogs 5 (5)
Try: Lonwabo Rawana
TEAMS:
SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS: 15 James Tedder, 14 Riaan Louw, 13 Xavier Mitchell, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Thurlon Williams, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Thurlow Marsh, 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Taine Booysen, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede
Replacements: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Kwanda Dimaza, 21 Bentley Geldenhuys, 22 Jurick Lewis, 23 Duren Hoffman
BORDER BULLDOGS: 15 Lukhangele Tshayi, 14 Lutho Mene, 13 Mihlali Nchukana, 12 Hlumelo Zitha, 11 Lonwabo Rawana, 10 Isiphe Mbini, 9 Asenam Mniki, 8 Sokuphuma Xakalashe, 7 Esethu Zenani, 6 Luvumo Makata, 5 Dillan Kromhout, 4 Likho Ndiyalwa, 3 Sivuyise Mabece, 2 Sokhana Mpemba, 1 Sibusiso Lali (captain)
Replacements: 16 Sokhana Mpemba, 17 Siyabonga Marele, 18 Mbasa Babele, 19 Caleb Radcliffe, 20 Kamva Tetani, 21 Sipho Hobosch, 22 Hlumelo Pantyo, 23 Mbasa Nkonki
Apr 16, 2026 | News, Sanlam Boland Cavaliers
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers head coach Hawies Fourie has made eleven changes, including a positional switch to the starting lineup that went down 14–24 against the Suzuki Griquas in Wellington last weekend. The Kavaliers host the Border Bulldogs in Wellington on Saturday in Round Six of the SA Cup.
Currently fifth on the SA Cup log after consecutive defeats to the Dotsure SWD Eagles and Suzuki Griquas, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers will be determined to return to winning ways and force their way back into the top four. Apart from the semi-final qualification, there is an added incentive; the four semi-finalists qualify for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.
In the backline, James Tedder starts at fullback in place of Domenic Smit after making his return from injury against Griquas, after being sidelined since the 2025 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final defeat. Riaan Louw comes in on the right wing, while Jayden Bantom takes over on the left wing in place of Xavier Mitchell, who shifts to outside centre, where he will partner Chris Smit.
Young Thurlon Williams is set for his first senior start at flyhalf and forms a new halfback combination with the experienced Chriswill September, who has been promoted from the bench.
Among the forwards, flankers Sibusiso Sangweni and Taine Booysen replace Kwanda Dimaza and Sauliegh Arendse, with Dimaza providing loose forward cover off the bench. In the second row, Michael Benadie comes in for Jeandre Leonard and will partner with Marlyn Williams. Joshua Eras starts at hooker, with Sidney Tobias set to play a role off the bench.
Lamla Nunu provides loosehead prop cover on the bench, while Schalk Oelofse offers lock cover. Bentley Geldenhuys, Jurick Lewis, and long-term injury returnee Duren Hoffman form an exciting backline replacement trio.
SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS: 15 James Tedder, 14 Riaan Louw, 13 Xavier Mitchell, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Thurlon Williams, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Thurlow Marsh, 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Taine Booysen, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Kwanda Dimaza, 21 Bentley Geldenhuys, 22 Jurick Lewis, 23 Duren Hoffman
BORDER BULLDOGS: TBA
Referee: Hernus Coetzee
AR1: Boland Rugby Referee
AR2: Boland Rugby Referee
Apr 12, 2026 | News, Sanlam Boland Cavaliers
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers were left to rue crucial handling errors in the last quarter of the game as they went down 14-24 to the Suzuki Griquas at Boland Stadium in the SA Cup in Wellington on Saturday.
It was a tightly contested encounter for large parts, even though the Kavaliers were stunned into a 19-0 deficit with the visitors scoring three early tries. They managed to pull the game back, though and were still in with a chance late in the match, but each time they had the ascendancy and threatened to score, they made a mistake.
A disappointed Hawies Fourie, head coach of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, lamented his side’s poor start but praised their character despite their second consecutive loss in the competition.
“We started poorly, and Griquas scored two easy tries early in the first half. I felt we showed good character to come back from 19-0 down to 19-7 at halftime. The second half was a ding-dong battle. We wasted opportunities. I believe we could’ve won in the last 15 minutes, but every time we got into their 22, we made a mistake – often a handling error.
“It’s disappointing for us; we should’ve gotten more out of the game. The players showed a lot of character, but we also have a lot of work ahead. We make too many mistakes, and it’s not always [when we are] under pressure. It’s something we need to get right, and we need to use the opportunities we create better and finish better. “
The Kavaliers matched the Griquas physically at times, although the visitors had the upper hand at scrum and maul time. Fourie’s men showed glimpses of their attacking threat, but a lack of composure let them down, with the final pass often going to ground.
The result sees the Kavaliers slip to fifth on the SA Cup log after five rounds – a position that leaves them just outside the all-important top four needed to qualify for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.
Despite the setback, Fourie remains confident and has targeted the next two games – a home fixture next Saturday against Border before travelling to Potchefstroom to take on the Leopards.Â
“The next two games are very important – we need to get back to winning ways and play ourselves back into the competition.”
Photo: WELLINGTON, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 11: Doctor Booysen of Sanlam Boland Kavaliers scores a try during the SA Cup match between Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and Suzuki Griquas at Boland Rugby Stadium on April 11, 2026, in Wellington, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Apr 11, 2026 | News, Sanlam Boland Cavaliers
The SA Cup log leaders, Suzuki Griquas, were made to work hard by the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers for their 14-24 victory at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, 11 April.
Three tries courtesy of Gurswin Wehr, Tiaan Lange, and Dylan Maart meant the visitors headed into the half-time break with a comfortable 7-19 lead.
Unforced errors and two yellow cards meant the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers allowed the Suzuki Griquas to maintain their lead on the scoreboard.
The visitors came out firing on all cylinders, scoring three tries in the opening 20 minutes with George Whitehead’s educated boot succeeding two of his three attempts.
Former Sanlam Boland Kavaliers Maart and Wehr crossing the whitewash, while Lange’s try from close range meant the Suzuki Griquas opened a healthy lead.
The home side clawed its way back as the first half ended. Doctor Booysen powered across the whitewash to reduce the deficit; his try was converted by replacement fly-half James Tedder, 7-19.
Tedder came on in the opening ten minutes when Juan Mostert took a nasty blow to the shoulder, ruling him out of the match.
The men from Kimberley used their quality set piece to good effect, drawing first blood in the second half when Connor Mahoney crossed for the bonus point fourth try.
Despite a late surge by the home side, which included a try by Tedder. The replacement number ten converted his own score to reduce the Suzuki Griquas’ lead, 14-24.
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers made good strides with some enterprising and entertaining plays but were unable to convert these opportunities into points.
Scorers:
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 14 (07): Tries: Doctor Booysen, James Tedder Cons: Tedder (2)
Suzuki Griquas 24 (19): Tries: Gurswin Wehr, Tiaan Lange, Dylan Maart, Connor Mahoney; Cons: George Whitehead (2)
TEAMS:
SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Erik Lambrecht, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh, 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandre Leonard, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede
Replacements: 16 Joshua Eras, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Chris Smit, 23 James Tedder
SUZUKI GRIQUAS: 15 Connor Mahoney, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (c), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 JF Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Corne Lavagna, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Jack Hart, 22 Liam Koen, 23 Cameron Hufke
Apr 10, 2026 | News, Sanlam Boland Cavaliers
A very important clash awaits the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Round Five of the 2026 SA Cup. The Wellington side welcomes the log leaders, the Suzuki Griquas, to Boland Rugby Stadium on Saturday, 11 April. Kick-off is at 15:00.
The Boland side suffered their first loss of the season in George against a revitalised SWD Eagles side.
Head coach Hawies Fourie, however, will be buoyed by the timely return of two stalwarts to the match-day 23 squad. Versatile backline player James Tedder and loose forward Sibusiso Sangweni have been named among the replacements ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Erik Lambrecht pairs up with the in-form Lunathi Nxele in the midfield, with Chris Smit moving to the bench after starting in the previous match.
Domenic Smit, Jade Stighling, and try-scoring sensation Xavier Mitchell are once again selected as the back three combination.
Exciting young prospects, Thurlon Williams and Michael Mutombo, make room for Tedder and Sangweni’s selection, respectively.
Juan Mostert and Louis Schreuder will once again form the halfback pairing. Likewise, the loose trio of captain Thurlow Marsh, Kwanda Dimaza, and Sauliegh Arendse continues, as does the second-row pairing of Jeandre Leonard and seasoned Bolander Marlyn Williams.
Chriswill September will once again provide scrum-half cover from the bench.
A new-look front row sees Sidney Tobias pack down in between Doctor Booysen and Mthokozisi Gumede.
Joshua Eras, who started in the number two jersey against the SWD Eagles, and the prop duo of Dayan van der Westhuizen and Dewald Maritz provide cover for the front rankers from the bench.
SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Erik Lambrecht, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh, 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandre Leonard, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede
Replacements: 16 Joshua Eras, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Chris Smit, 23 James Tedder
Match details:
Teams: Sanlam Boland Kavaliers v Suzuki Griquas
Date: Saturday, 11 April 2026
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Boland Rugby Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Griffin Colby
AR’s: Boland Rugby Union
