Nxele set to make his 50th appearance for Boland in SA Cup semi-final

The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers will be buoyed by the return from injury of the duo James Tedder and Jade Stighling for the SA Cup semi-final encounter with the Suzuki Griquas. This match will mark Lunathi Nxele's (31) 50th match for the Wellington side when he takes to the field on Saturday at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley.

Tedder has completed the return-to-play HIA protocols, while Stighling recovers from a hamstring niggle sustained against the Dotsure SWD Eagles.

Domenic Smit, who will provide cover from the bench, makes way for Tedder while Stighling comes in for Duren Hoffman, who misses out on selection altogether.

SA Cup record try scorer (with 20 tries so far this season), Xavier Mitchell, completes the back three with Tedder and Stighling.

Mitchell surpassed Gurshwin Wehr's record of 15 tries set in last year's edition of this competition, when he crossed the whitewash seven times in his 50th match in last week's 85-29 victory against the EP Elephants.

Nxele will once again combine with Jurick Lewis in the midfield to form a tried and tested combination, once again with Louis Schreuder and Chris Smit forming the halfback pairing that has led the Kavaliers in recent matches.

Captain Thurlow Marsh will once again lead the side from the No 8 position, with Sibusiso Sangweni and Sauliegh Arendse, who made his 50th appearance for the Kavaliers last week, forming the loose trio.

In the second row, Marlyn Williams will run for the 94th time in a Kavaliers jersey and he will pair up with Jeandré Leonard while Dayan van der Westhuizen and Dewald Maritz pack down on either side of hooker Joshua Eras.

Sidney Tobias, Mthokozisi Gumede and Andrew Beerwinkel provide adequate cover for the front row on the bench. Michael Benadie and Kwanda Dimaza complete the 5-3 split for the forwards among the replacements.

Chriswill September, Thurlon Williams and Smit complete the match day 23.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers starting XV: 15 James Tedder, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jade Stighling; 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 Sidney Tobias, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Andrew Beerwinkel, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Kwanda Dimaza, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Thurlon Williams, 23 Domenic Smit.

Suzuki Griquas v Sanlam Boland Kavaliers - Saturday @ Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley (1pm)

Referee: Dylen November

Broadcast: SuperSport Variety 4