The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers head coach, Hawies Fourie, has named his team to face DHL Western Province in the Carling Currie Cup on Saturday, 6 September, at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
With five teams still battling for semi-final places, the Kavaliers know a victory is crucial to keep their top-four hopes alive.
Thurlow Marsh will lead the side while donning the number eight jersey. Marsh, along with Sibusiso Sangweni and Sauliegh Arendse, completes the loose trio.
The visitors head into the clash following a narrow last-minute defeat against the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in Pietermaritzburg last Friday. Fourie’s chargers will be determined to take control of their own destiny rather than rely on other results to go in their favour.
There are a handful of changes to the match-day squad. Among the forwards, experienced lock Marlyn Williams, who captained the team earlier in the campaign before being sidelined by injury, returns to the starting XV in place of Jurie van Vuuren, who moves to the bench.
In the backline, scrumhalf Chriswill September returns to partner Juan Mostert, who remains at flyhalf with Ashlon Davids still sidelined. David Brits reclaims the No. 13 jersey, with the versatile Erik Lambrecht shifting to the bench.
At fullback, regular goalkicker James Tedder has been ruled out after picking up an injury at training this week. Domenic Smit replaces him in the starting lineup, while Jayden Bantom, who joined the Kavaliers from the Eastern Province Elephants after the SA Cup, earns a spot on the bench and could make his Kavaliers debut.
Among the replacements, Llewellyn Classen takes over as hooker cover from HP van Schoor, while Lamla Nunu comes in at loosehead prop. Mthokozisi Gumede swaps the number 17 jersey for the number 18 to provide tighthead cover. With Khwezi Mafu unavailable due to a minor injury, the experienced Van Vuuren provides loose forward cover.
Veteran scrumhalf Louis Schreuder is also on the bench as Fourie continues his halfback rotation, with Godlen Masimla sitting out this week.
Saturday’s clash, dubbed the N1 Derby by the media, kicks off at 14:45 with referee Morné Ferreira taking charge of the fixture.
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers:15 Domenic Smit, 14 Donavan Don, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Thurlow Marsh (captain), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Mthokozisi Gumede, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Jurie van Vuuren, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Erik Lambrecht, 23 Jayden Bantom
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers head coach, Hawies Fourie, has announced his team that will play against the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in Pietermaritzburg in the Carling Currie Cup on Saturday.
Fourie has made five changes to the starting line-up that beat the Airlink Pumas in Mbombela last Friday.
According to the Kavaliers coach, some changes were made due to injuries while Sauliegh Arendse and Erik Lambrecht have been rewarded for their recent performances, earning them a place in the starting line-up.
Flyhalf Ashlon Davids is out of action after suffering a knee injury in Mbombela last week. However, there is also a piece of good news with winger Donovan Don, who is the tournament’s leading try scorer with seven tries in just four matches, returning from the knee injury he sustained in round four against the Bulls.
Among the forwards, Arendse comes in at flank, with Khwezi Mafu moving to the bench. Sidney Tobias returns at hooker after being rested against the Pumas, with HP van Schoor being named on the bench.
Juan Mostert replaces Davids at flyhalf, while the versatile Lambrecht is rewarded for his good performance against the Pumas with a place in the starting line-up at outside centre. David Brits consequently moves to the bench. On the right wing, Don takes the place of Marcqiewn Titus, with fullback Domenic Smit named among the replacements.
Saturday’s match will not take place at Kings Park, the Sharks’ traditional home, but at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg. Kick-off is at 17:10 with Dylen November as the referee.
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
Die Sanlam Boland Kavaliers se hoofafrigter, Hawies Fourie, het sy span aangekondig wat Saterdag in die Carling Curriebeker teen die Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in Pietermaritzburg gaan speel.
Fourie het vyf veranderinge aan die beginspan aangebring wat verlede Vrydag die Airlink Pumas in Mbombela geklop het.
Volgens die Kavaliers-breier is van die veranderings aangebring weens beserings. Daar is ook Sauliegh Arendse en Erik Lambrecht wat hul plek in die beginspan oopgespeel het.
Die losskakel Ashlon Davids is buite aksie nadat hy verlede week in Mbombela ’n kniebesering opgedoen het. Daar is egter ook ‘n brokkie goeie nuus met die vleuel Donovan Don, wie die toernooi se voorste drieëdrukker met sewe drieë in slegs vier wedstryde is, wie terugkeer ná die kniebesering wat hy in rondte vier teen die Bulle opgedoen het.
Onder die voorspelersgroep kom Arendse in op oopkantflank, met Khwezi Mafu wat na die bank skuif. Sidney Tobias keer terug as die begin-haker nadat hy teen die Pumas ‘n ruskans gegun is, met HP van Schoor wat op die bank is.
Agterlangs vervang Juan Mostert vir Davids op losskakel, terwyl die veelsydige Lambrecht beloon word vir sy goeie vertoning teen die Pumas met ’n plek in die beginspan op buitesenter. David Brits skuif gevolglik na die bank. Op regtervleuel neem Don die plek van Marcqiewn Titus, met die heelagter Domenic Smit op die plaasvervanger bank.
Saterdag se wedstryd sal nie by Kings Park, die Sharks se tradisionele tuiste, plaasvind nie, maar wel by die Woodburn Stadion in Pietermaritzburg. Afskop is om 17:10 met Dylen November as die skeidsregter.
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 (kaptein), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Jurie van Vuuren, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper. PLAASVERVANGERS: 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
Khwezi Mafu, powerhouse looseforward of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, has been an influential figure in Hawies Fourie’s side since joining from the Leopards last year.
The 27-year-old journeyman – he has turned out for the Vodacom Bulls, Airlink Pumas, Valke, and Leopards since matriculating from Grey High School in Gqeberha in 2016. Mafu, who also played for the SA Schools side in both his Grade 11 and 12 years, will start at openside flank when the Kavas play the Airlink Pumas in Mbombela in a crucial Carling Currie Cup clash.
Mafu has made a strong impression with the Cavalry (Boland supporters) after making his debut in the SA Cup. He is particularly revered for his powerful runs and bulldozing defence, whilst also being a safe line-out option for the men from Wellington.
“Being back in the starting line-up doesn’t really feel different from coming off the bench. From the very beginning of this Currie Cup campaign, the coaches made it clear that every player has an important role to play – whether you start or come on as an impact player. Last week, my role off the bench was to bring energy in the second half and take advantage of tired legs. This week, my responsibility with the rest of the starters is to set the tone early, establish the standard and put us in a strong position by halftime.”
Looking ahead to the Pumas challenge, Mafu, who forms a back row with Sibusiso Sangweni and captain Thurlow Marsh, expects a fierce contest.
WELLINGTON, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 17: Khwezi Mafu of Sanlam Boland Cavaliers celebrates scoring a try with team mates during the Carling Currie Cup match between Sanlam Boland Cavaliers and Vodacom Bulls at Sanlam Boland Stadium on August 17, 2025, in Wellington, South Africa. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images)
“Facing the Pumas in Mbombela will be tough. They’ve been inconsistent (in the Currie Cup) by their own standards, but they’re still dangerous and will come out firing after some recent results. For us, the mindset doesn’t change – we don’t fear anyone and we respect every opponent while focusing on our own goals. We want to prove that Boland can be competitive both at home and away.”
The former SA Schools star believes the Cavaliers’ campaign is about more than just results. “Our mission is to put Boland rugby on the map. We’ll fight for it, give everything, and whatever happens after 80 minutes, we’ll regroup and keep pushing. With three games to go, nothing is do-or-die yet – it’s about consistency, hard work and belief. This Currie Cup journey is something special, and as a group, we want to make the class of 2025 memorable. We’ve had setbacks, but now it’s about bouncing back and showing what Boland rugby is made of.”
Mafu and the Kavas are set to face the Airlink Pumas at Mobombela Stadium at 17:00 on Friday. The match will be broadcast on SuperSport channel 211 with referee Cwengile Jadezweni taking charge of this fixture.
James Tedder, fullback of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, returns to action this weekend after missing the round four Carling Currie Cup fixture against the Vodacom Bulls in Wellington.
The 28-year-old Kearsney College old boy sat out last week with a back niggle but has been cleared to play and will line up in Mbombela against Jimmy Stonehouse’s Airlink Pumas.
With an away victory in Mbombela all but securing a semi-final spot for Hawies Fourie’s side, Tedder’s return brings both stability and attacking threat. Known for his calm presence and reliable kicking game, the 1.91m, 95kg fullback also relishes the physical battle when taking on opposition defensive systems.
“I’m really looking forward to being back this weekend for a big game in Nelspruit against the Pumas. It was tough missing out last week, but I’m ready to give my best again,” he said.
He added that conditions could play a role: “I think it’s a bit different this weekend with the (expected) weather being hotter in Mbombela, but as always we’re going to throw the ball around, play an exciting brand of rugby and see if we can score plenty of tries.”
James Tedder of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers during the SA Cup in May 2025. Photo by Dirk Kotze. Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
The Kavas’ exciting backline has been one of the team’s most potent weapons this season, and Tedder is quick to praise those around him. “Having [Donovan] Don, Xava [Xavier Mitchell] and Marcqwien [Titus] around me makes it easy to play at 15. They’re outstanding in attack – I can just give them the ball and let them express themselves. Defensively, our communication is strong, and that helps a lot too.”
Tedder, who made his name in the Varsity Cup with the UCT Ikeys before joining the Lions in 2022, also seems to have struck up a good understanding with experienced flyhalf, Ashlon Davids. The latter took charge of the kicking duties against the Bulls and did a sterling job – both out of hand and at posts – as his 100% record suggests.
“Ash and I also have a great relationship on and off the field, which makes decision-making simple. Sometimes, if he feels the pressure, I’ll take on the kicking, and if I feel it, he steps up. We complement each other well, and it makes our jobs so much easier.”
Since joining Boland from the French Nationale 1 club, Albi, Tedder says he has been impressed by the environment. “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Boland so far. It’s been incredible to be part of this journey with such a committed coach and a special team environment. After a tough spell in France, it’s refreshing to be back in such a positive space. I’m excited to see how far we can take this Boland team.”
