Kavaliers make wholesale changes for clash with Sharks

The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers are hitting the road this week for the first time since the start of this year's Carling Currie Cup competition. The Kavaliers will face the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV on Saturday at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu; kick-off at 5.15pm.

For the first time since the 2025 Carling Currie Cup semi-final, Ashlon Davids starts at flyhalf alongside the returning Louis Schreuder, with Chris Smit providing cover for the No 10 position on the bench.

At the back, Domenic Smit comes in for James Tedder, with the latter named among the replacements. The rest of the backline remains the same for a fourth week, with Lunathi Nxele and Jurick Lewis forming the centre combination. Xavier Mitchell (right wing) and Jayden Bantom (left wing) form the back three with Smit.

Captain Thurlow Marsh, Gift Dlamini and Khwezi Mafu will pack down in the loose forwards. Mafu is returning after missing selection last week. In the second row, seasoned campaigner Marlyn Williams will pair up with the young Johnré Stopforth while Joshua Eras returns to the hooker position.

Eras will have Dayan van der Westhuizen and Mthokozisi Gumede packing down on either side of him.

The last time these two sides met, it was in KwaZulu-Natal as well, and it was the home side who got the better of the Kavaliers. An injury-time penalty for Siya Masuku snatched the win away from the visitors.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Lyle Matthews, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga; 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude (capt); 8 Tinotenda Mavesere, 7 Johan Momsen, 6 Willem van den Hever; 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Meno Barnard; 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Hanu Pieterse, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Juan Loots, 22 Albie Bester, 23 Chijindu Okonta.

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