Kavas bag five valuable log points in testing conditions

Jade Stighling of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in the Round Seven SA Cup match against the Leopards in Potchefstroom on Friday night. Daniel van Wyk

The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers picked up five valuable log points when they beat the Leopards 33-12 in Potchefstroom on Friday evening in Round Seven of the 2026 SA Cup competition.

A match marred by wet and muddy conditions saw the visitors build on a comfortable 19-7 half-time lead, outscoring the Leopards by five tries to two to claim victory.

With just two rounds left in the tournament, the win moves the men from Wellington closer to the all-important top four finish that comes with an automatic qualification to this year’s Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.

Jade Stighling and Jayden Bantom got over the try line with Domenic Smit crossing the whitewash two minutes after the hooter in the opening stanza, to round off the first half tries for the Kavaliers.

The boot of James Tedder kept the scoreboard ticking over with the flyhalf managing two conversions from his three attempts before he picked up an injury, a suspected concussion.

Tries for the visitors came via Naiden Jaarts and loose forward Ghudian van Reenen but it was the physicality and discipline of the visitors that helped them enjoy quality ball.

Smit’s try came from some great interplay with the teams heading into the sheds with the scoreboard firmly in favour of the visiting team.

The elusive running and clinical defence of the Kavaliers meant they could use the opportunities they created to good effect.

Replacement front rower Dewald Maritz and right winger Duren Hoffman both added their names to the try scoring column for the season in the second half.

Bantom took over the kicking duties from Tedder as he slotted two conversions, taking his personal tally for the match to nine points.

The Kavaliers now travel to Mbombela to face the in-form Airlink Pumas next Sunday as the race for a top four finish heats up.