Fourie opts for continuity; Davids and Dlamini return

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers head coach Hawies Fourie stuck with tried and tested combinations in his backline, while lengthy returns from injury for Ashlon Davids and Gift Dlamini see them get the nod in the match-day 23 for the opening round of the Carling Currie Cup.

Davids, who has recovered from a knee injury, last played for the Kavaliers in the 2025 Carling Currie Cup semi-final, while Dlamini sustained a serious leg fracture a few weeks prior, in the second-round encounter in Kimberley against the Suzuki Griquas.

With the exception of Sibusiso Sangweni sustaining a slight knee injury during the pre-season warm-up matches, Fourie has had quite a few players return from injury and eligible for selection.

The first of four Boland Sundays will see the Kavaliers welcome the Vodacom Bulls to the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington; the match kicks off at 3.05pm.

Thurlow Marsh will captain the side from the No 8 position. Marsh and Sauliegh Arendse, who will be donning the No 6 jumper, while another returning player, Khwezi Mafu, completes the loose trio.

Veteran Kavalier player, Marlyn Williams, will be making his 94th appearance for the Kavaliers when he runs out and teams up with Jeandré Leonard to form the second row. Dayan van der Westhuizen and Mthokozisi Gumede will pack down on either side of hooker Joshua Eras to form the front row.

Jurick Lewis and Lunathi Nxele will once again form the tried and tested midfield combination, while Jayden Bantom and Xavier Mitchell have been selected at left and right wing, respectively. James Tedder completes the back three as he gets the nod at fullback.

Combining for a fourth consecutive time, Chris Smit and Louis Schreuder will form the halfback pairing for the Wellington side.

Another injury returnee is Llewellyn Classen, as he is named on the bench to provide cover for the hooker position, while Dewald Maritz and Laurence Victor will provide backup for the front row. Newcomer Johnré Stopforth alongside Dlamini complete the forward cover in Fourie’s preferred 5-3 split.

Chriswill September, Davids and Domenic Smit will all be hoping to make an impact when introduced from the bench.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers starting XV: 15 James Tedder, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jayden Bantom; 10 Chris Smit, 9 Louis Schreuder; 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Sauliegh Arendse; 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandré Leonard; 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Johnré Stopforth, 20 Gift Dlamini, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Domenic Smit.

Vodacom Blue Bulls XV starting XV: TBD

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers v Vodacom Bulls XV - Sunday @ Boland Stadium, Wellington (3.05pm)

Referee: Griffin Colby

Broadcast: SuperSport