Kavas outplay Stormers XXIII in Currie Cup warm-up

Llewellyn Classen (ball in hand) and Marlyn Williams of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers against the DHL Stormers XXIII in a warm-up match ahead of the 2026 Carling Currie Cup competition. Sideline Frames/Kurshé-Lee Brandt

In a pulsating pre-season Carling Currie Cup warm-up, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers outplayed the DHL Stormers XXIII 54-26 on Saturday at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington.

An exciting display of hard-hitting South African rugby saw the Kavaliers run in eight tries to four against a talented Stormers XXIII side. Tries for the visitors were scored by Tiaan Fourie, Vernon Paulo, Gino Cupido and Xola Nyali.

The home side came out firing in the opening five minutes, with Joshua Eras and Lunathi Nxele crossing the try-line and James Tedder adding the extra points from the tee to make it 14-0.

A period of play ensued in which the visitors battled to secure their line-outs; this, along with a dominant scrum performance, allowed the Kavaliers to enjoy most of the possession in the opening half.

Despite a late first-half surge by the Stormers XXIII side, players like Jurick Lewis, Nxele, Jayden Bantom and Sibusiso Sangweni got over the advantage with relative ease. Flyhalf Chris Smit orchestrated matters, which meant the home side gained momentum heading into the break.

SA Cup try-scoring machine, Xavier Mitchell, had the final say in the first half when he gathered a well-placed Smit crosskick to dot down in the right corner.

The Kavaliers were firmly in the driving seat as the players headed into the break, 19-7.

A return-from-injury try for replacement hooker Llewellyn Classen helped the home side to pick right up where they left off in the opening half.

The introduction of young Thurlon Williams at flyhalf switched things up a notch; Williams was instrumental in the build-up to the following two tries.

First up, veteran lock Marlyn Williams crashed over, followed by replacement scrumhalf Bentley Geldenhuys. The latter five-pointer came as a result of the young flyhalf sidestepping his way through three would-be tackles before a well-timed inside pass to Geldenhuys, who dotted down under the crossbar.

The introduction of the replacements by head coach Hawies Fourie shifted the momentum firmly in the Kavaliers' favour, with captain Thurlow Marsh and the speedster from Saldanha, Craig van Rensburg, rounding off a brilliant all-round performance by the home side.

Fourie was in full praise of his players after the match despite feeling that there were a few opportunities wasted, especially on attack.

"I feel it was a solid start; we spilt a lot of chances on attack, two clear tries where just needed to make one or two passes or a forward pass," Fourie said following the match.

"There is a lot to work on. Our set-pieces were really good; we turned over six line-outs, maul stops improved and we had a good scrummaging session. Lots of positives for us; we will build on that.

"On defence, I felt we were not that dominant; we wouldn't like to concede four tries in the game, especially the last two. I was not happy with that. But we will work on it and we will improve. At least we had a good outing, no injuries and a lot of good stuff to build on."

The Kavaliers will play the Suzuki Griquas in their second and final warm-up match ahead of the 2026 Carling Currie Cup campaign, on Tuesday in Wellington. The match kicks off at 1pm.

Score

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers (19) 54 - Tries: Joshua Eras, Lunathi Nxele, Xavier Mitchell, Llewellyn Classen, Marlyn Williams, Bentley Geldenhuys, Thurlow Marsh, Craig van Rensburg. Conversions: James Tedder (5), Thurlon Williams (2).

DHL Stormers XXIII (7) 26 - Tries: Tiaan Fourie, Vernon Paulo, Gino Cupido, Xola Nyali. Conversions: Jean-Luc du Plessis, Tharquin Manuel (2).

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 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Sauliegh Arendse; 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandré Leonard; 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Andrew Beerwinkel, 19 Michael Mutombo, 20 Gift Dlamini, 21 Bentley Geldenhuys, 22 Thurlon Williams, 23 Renaldo Young, 24 Craig van Rensburg, 25 Durin Nasson.

DHL Stormers XXIII starting XV: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu; 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (capt), 9 Tiaan Fourie; 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe; 5 Dylan De Leeuw, 4 Enos Ndiao; 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Mhleli Khuwzwayo. Replacements: 16 Matthew Beckett, 17 Luca Bakkes, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Reuben Kruger, 20 Tom Barnard, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Aidan Norris, 23 Alutha Wesi, 24 Adeeb Borraine, 25 Dominic Malgas, 26 Gino Cupido, 27 Kian Davis, 28 JC Mars, 29 Tharquin Manuel.