Kavaliers grind out important Currie Cup win over Lions

The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers reignited their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 Carling Black Label Currie Cup for a second consecutive season with a hard-fought 38-29 win over the Fidelity ADT Lions at the Wits Rugby Stadium on Friday.

It was a much-needed win for the Hawies Fourie-coached side after suffering back-to-back losses against the Airlink Pumas and HollywoodBets Sharks XV in Round Three and Four, respectively.

Tries for the visitors were scored via a brace from Mthokozisi Gumede and a try apiece courtesy of Gift Dlamini, Sangweni Sangweni, and Jeandré Leonard.

Friday’s away win will serve as a huge boost in confidence after the Kavaliers made a poor start. The visitors found themselves trailing by 17-0 after 13 minutes and a man down after Lunathi Nxele was sent to the sin bin.

The Lions made sure they took advantage as winger Keagan Smith scored the game’s first try after flyhalf Sam Francis’ sixth-minute penalty, which gave the home side an early lead.

Jarrod Cairns, Lions captain, then crossed for a second five-pointer to keep the visitors on the back foot. The Kavaliers, however, hit back in the 17th minute as loosehead prop Gumede crossed from close range for his first five-pointer.

Gumede was, however, the second Boland player to be sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle on Lions midfielder Rynhardt Jonker.

Despite being a man down for a second time in the first half, the visitors stood strong, neutralising the Lions’ attacks.

Eventually turning defence into attack as flanker Dlamini crossed for Boland’s second try. But not before the Lions also lost a player to ill-discipline. Repeated infringements saw hooker Mahle Sithole depart the field for 10 minutes as the sides headed for half-time with the Lions holding onto a slender three-point lead, 17-14.

The Kavaliers took the lead in the 47th minute as Sangweni scored under the upright.

The game turned into an arm-wrestle for the next 17 minutes before the visitors managed to exploit gaps in the Lions defence, with Sangweni dotting down, which handed the Kavaliers a 28-17 lead.

The Lions hit straight back from the kick-off, with winger Smith scoring his second to cut Boland’s lead to six points.

A brilliant kick-off by James Tedder then saw winger Cornell Engelbrecht win the ball straight back for the Kavas before replacement lock Leonard used his long reach to score his side’s fifth try.

Gumede would cross for his second try after a brilliant initial break from Boland as they closed in on a famous win. But the Lions refused to give up the fight with centre Jonker scoring with eight minutes left on the stadium clock.

The Kavaliers held their nerve and made another foray into the Lions’ half, before winning a penalty. Tedder slotted the penalty attempt, denying the Lions a second losing bonus point.