Kavaliers secure an important win in Bloem

The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers kick-started their SA Cup campaign with an impressive 34-24 away victory over the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday evening.

It was the third consecutive win for Hawies Fourie’s charges against a team he previously coached before taking over as Boland head coach at the beginning of 2024.

The five points secured in Bloemfontein could prove valuable as the competition progresses, with the top four teams in the SA Cup earning promotion to the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division later this season.

The visitors made a dream start, scoring three converted tries in the opening 26 minutes. However, as expected, the Cheetahs fought back strongly after halftime to put the Kavaliers under pressure.

No 8 and captain Thurlow Marsh played a central role in Boland’s early dominance. He scored the second of the three early tries and provided the final pass for both Xavier Mitchell (left wing) and Lunathi Nxele (outside centre), who crossed in the fifth and 26th minutes respectively.

Marsh also showed excellent support play when experienced scrumhalf Louis Schreuder broke down the blindside before sending the captain clear on his inside for a try following a line-out variation.

Nxele, who scored four tries against the Cheetahs in the opening SA Cup fixture in Wellington last year, benefited from a Marsh tip on in midfield before running 40 metres to score close to the sticks. That gave the visitors an emphatic 21-0 lead.

Flyhalf Juan Mostert then added a penalty in the 33rd minute to extend Boland’s advantage to 24-0.

Left winger, Prince Nkabinde, eventually opened the scoring for the home side shortly before the break, reducing the deficit to 24-7 as the players headed into the sheds.

The Cheetahs returned with renewed urgency and, with their powerful rolling maul proving difficult to contain, scored tries in the 43rd and 53rd minutes to close the gap by just seven points, 24-17.

Mostert then produced a crucial moment against the run of play when he charged down Ethan Wentzel’s kick following a quick throw-in from a line-out by replacement Clayton Blommetjies.

The flyhalf gathered the loose ball to score, convert and hand Boland some breathing room yet again.

The Kavaliers were later reduced to 14 men when flanker Kwanda Dimaza saw yellow for a high tackle on Munier Hartzenberg. This gave the Cheetahs momentum heading into the final quarter.

Powerful inside centre Zander du Plessis brought the hosts within touching distance with a strong run, cutting the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers’ lead to seven, 31-24.

Calm leadership from Marsh then proved decisive. After consulting with referee Morné Ferreira, the Boland captain requested a review of a no-arms tackle on lock Jeandré Leonard. Television match official Aimee Barrett Theron confirmed the infringement and Mostert stepped up to slot the resulting penalty from in front of the posts, 34-24.

Cheetahs flank Daniel Maartens, the initial offender, was penalised mere minutes later, resulting in him being shown a yellow card following another no-arms tackle.

Up front, Dayan van der Westhuizen (tighthead prop) was a menace at the breakdown, while Dimaza and Marsh carried strongly and defended bravely. The halfback pairing of Schreuder and Mostert also managed the game effectively for the visitors.

Boland’s composure in the final quarter ensured that a fast start was converted into a valuable away victory.

The Kavaliers next face the Griffons at the Boland Stadium in Wellington next Sunday in what will be the first of the much-anticipated Boland Sundays of the season.