The Boland Rugby Union is delighted to announce Mama’s Pies as a new sponsor partner for the 2025 Sanlam Boland Top 12 competition and broader rugby structures across the region.
Mama’s Pies, a proudly South African favourite and part of RFG Foods (Pty) Ltd, joins Boland Rugby as a Level 4 sponsor, further strengthening the Union’s growing family of commercial partners. With its headquarters based in the Boland, between Paarl and Franschhoek, Mama’s Pies is perfectly positioned to contribute to the growth of community rugby across the province.
“We are very excited to be part of this incredible community,” said Jana Lategan, Brand Manager at Mama’s Pies. “By supporting not only the players but also the ‘Mama’ behind each player, as well as the spectators and everyone involved, to make the tournament possible. Mama’s Pies is a South African favourite, and we look forward to being part of the heartbeat of Boland rugby.”
Mama’s Pies has emphasised that their sponsorship recognises the crucial role of women in rugby, from mothers who patch up their sons after a tough match, to the partners who support their loved one’s training late into the evenings, to the passionate fans cheering on from the sidelines. The company believes that without the support of women, there is no sport.
This partnership extends beyond the flagship Sanlam Boland Top 12 into the broader rugby ecosystem, including the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and club rugby competitions throughout the region. Following the Kavas’ recent successes in the Carling Currie Cup, sponsor interest in Boland Rugby has grown rapidly, and Mama’s Pies is among the leading brands investing in the future of the Union.
Mr Bennie van Rooi, President of the Boland Rugby Union, welcomed the partnership: “We are proud to welcome Mama’s Pies into the Boland Rugby family. Their brand values of care, nourishment, and community align perfectly with the spirit of our Union.
“This sponsorship is about more than visibility; it is about strengthening the role of family, supporters, and especially women in our game. We thank Mama’s Pies for believing in the power of rugby to unite communities.”
About the Sanlam Boland Top 12
The Sanlam Boland Top 12, also known as the Grootuitdaag, is the premier community rugby competition of the Boland Rugby Union. Bringing together the region’s best clubs, the tournament represents the pinnacle of passion, rivalry, and sporting excellence in the Boland region. Alongside the Top 12, the Union also hosts the Super 10 (Streekuitdaag), Super 16 (Gemeenskapskild), and Super 8 (Vroueliga), ensuring a full pathway for men’s, women’s, and community rugby.
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 head coach Hawies Fourie has announced his match-day 23 to face the Fidelity ADT Lions in the Carling Currie Cup semi-final at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Kavaliers have been boosted by the return of two key backline players. Playmaker Ashlon Davids is back at flyhalf after recovering from injury, while fullback James Tedder also returns after missing last week’s Western Cape derby against DHL Western Province.
There will be extra motivation for players such as Davids, Tedder, Sibusiso Sangweni, and HP van Schoor, who all once called Ellis Park their home during their stints with the Lions.
Fourie, however, has also been dealt a significant blow with both prolific try scorer Donovan Don (thigh) and powerhouse Wayrin Losper (shoulder), both ruled out due to injury.
Jayden Bantom, who made his debut off the bench against WP, gets his first start in place of Don on the wing. Veteran scrumhalf Louis Schreuder is back in the number 9 jersey after playing off the bench in Cape Town. He swaps places with Chriswill September.
Up front, lock Ameer Hendricks gets a start in place of Michael Benadie, who will play a role off the bench, while the fit-again Khwezi Mafu replaces Sauliegh Arendse at openside flanker. Mthokozisi Gumede starts at loosehead prop in place of Losper after covering tighthead prop last week, with Laurence Victor now providing tighthead cover from the bench.
WELLINGTON, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 10: James Tedder of the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers during the Carling Currie Cup match between Sanlam Boland Cavaliers and Fidelity ADT Lions at Sanlam Boland Stadium on August 10, 2025 in Wellington, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Saturday’s semi-final will kick off at 17:00 with Griffon Colby the man in charge in the middle.
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, 6 Khwezi Mafu, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Ameer Hendricks, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi 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.
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
