The Sanlam Boland Cavaliers returned to winning form in the SA Cup after defeating the Border Bulldogs 52-3 in Round Six of the 2025 SA Cup competition at Police Park Stadium in East London on Saturday, April 12.
The visitors entered the clash looking to rebound from their 42-36 Round Five defeat to the Suzuki Griquas in Kimberley.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are still searching for their first win of the 2025 tournament edition. The home side started off strongly, applying pressure early on but failing to capitalize on their opportunities in the opening minutes of the game.
After 10 minutes, they were awarded a penalty when Cavas captain Lunathi Nxele received a yellow card for a high tackle. Maxwell Klassen scored the game’s first points from the tee.
This would be the Bulldogs’ first and only points, as the visitors raised their game, displaying clinical, relentless, and entertaining rugby. The Cavas dominated at scrum time and seized their opportunities in open play.
The visitors scored three tries in quick succession, first through lock-forward Michael Benadie, then inside centre Jurick Lewis, with the talented and experienced Sidney Tobias scoring the third five-pointer.
The Sanlam Boland Cavaliers led by 14 points with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, with Ashlon Davids converting one of his three attempts, making it 14-3. The half ended with the Bulldogs’ outside centre Ryan Maree shown yellow for a dangerous tackle. Sanlam Boland Cavaliers head coach Hawies Fourie had a straightforward message: keep applying the pressure.
Nxele extended his side’s lead in the opening minute of the second half after the Bulldogs failed to clear their lines from the kick-off. James Tedder then added his name to the try-scoring sheet in what became an onslaught from the Wellington team.
Left-wing Xavier Mitchell soon got in on the action with his five-pointer, and at the 50-minute mark, hooker Tobias powered over from a rolling maul for his second try of the day.
The Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm, were careless with the ball, and failed to execute when it mattered. The home side dropped the tempo and faced the consequences, conceding another try when replacement loose forward Thurlow Marsh manoeuvred past defenders to cross the try line.
Leading 45-3 with the final quarter approaching, the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers brought on their replacements and maintained the pace, scoring another try just before the final whistle.
It was Peter-John Smit who intercepted a loose pass and ran in unchallenged for his side’s eighth try. Despite their efforts, the Bulldogs couldn’t find a way back and suffered their sixth defeat of the season.
Scorers:
Border Bulldogs: 3 (3) – Penalty: Maxwell Klassen
Sanlam Boland Cavaliers: 52 (17) – Tries: Sidney Tobias (2), Michael Benadie, Jurick Lewis, Lunathi Nxele, James Tedder, Thurlow Marsh, Peter-John Smit. Cons: Ashlon Davids (3), Tedder (3)
Match report by Avuyile Sawula