Sangweni back as Marsh leads Kavas against Bulls

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers head coach Hawies Fourie has announced a team with a new-look forward pack for Sunday’s Carling Currie Cup clash against the Vodacom Bulls in Wellington.

Lock and captain Marlyn Williams has been ruled out due to a facial fracture, with Ameer Hendricks taking his place in the second row with No 8, Thurlow Marsh, assuming the captaincy.

The experienced Sibusiso Sangweni has recovered from the ankle injury he picked up in round two and replaces Ludio Williams at blindside flank, who moves to openside in place of Sauliegh Arendse.

The last time these two sides met was in the Carling Currie Cup of 2016 when the Pretoria-based side beat the Cavaliers 48-26. The Bulls traditionally enjoy significant support among the rugby-loving Western Cape rugby support base, with a sold-out crowd expected to turn up at the Boland Rugby Stadium.

In the front row, Mthokozisi Gumede gets his first start at loosehead prop with Wayrin Losper moving down to the bench. Tighthead Doctor Booysen will be in action for the first time in the competition, replacing Dayan van der Westhuizen, who now plays a role from the bench.

Hooker Llewellyn Classen is likely to make his debut for the Kavaliers after joining from the Airlink Pumas ahead of the competition. Another recruit, the versatile Jurie van Vuuren, has also been named among the replacements and will also get a debut if he takes to the field. Godlen Masimla has also been named on the bench in place of Chriswill September.

The backline is unchanged after Blitzbok, Donovan Don, who has scored six tries in the first three rounds, was declared fit to play.

Kick-off on Sunday is at 3pm and will be broadcast on SuperSport channel 211. Robbie Jenkinson will be officiating the encounter.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers starting XV: 15 James Tedder, 14 Donavan Don, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell; 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Louis Schreuder; 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Ludio Williams; 5 Ameer Hendricks, 4 Michael Benadie; 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Wayrin Losper, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Khwezi Mafu, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Stravino Jacobs, 14 Katlego Letebele, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi; 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Zak Burger; 8 JJ Theron, 7 Sintu Manjezi, 6 Nama Xaba (capt); 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar; 3 Jean Erasmus, 2 Juann Else, 1 Ruan Swart. Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Bryan le Roux, 19 Marco Ferreira, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Brooklyn Newman, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Cheswill Jooste.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers v Vodacom Bulls - Sunday @ Sanlam Boland Stadium, Wellington (3pm)

Referee: Robbie Jenkinson

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby