Two changes for Sanlam Boland Kavaliers ahead of Western Cape derby

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers head coach, Hawies Fourie has made two changes and one positional shift to his side that outplayed the Valke in Round 3 of the SA Cup, ahead of their Round 4 fixture against the SWD Eagles.

Chris Smit and Kwanda Dimaza return to the starting lineup with Erik Lambrecht and Michael Mutombo shifting to the replacements bench. Smit has recovered from a groin injury and Dimaza has met the return-to-play protocols following a concussion that he sustained against the Toyota Cheetahs in the opening round.

Last week's Sanlam Confident Player of the Match, Lambrecht and back-to-back Rainbow Powerhouse award winner, Mutombo, have made a solid impression on Fourie.

"Erik played really well last week and Michael as well, in the last two weeks," Fourie said. "We will definitely be using them in the second half to make an impact off the bench."

Lunathi Nxele shifts to the outside centre position as he pairs with Smit in the midfield. The rest of the backline remains unchanged.

The SWD Eagles have had a good start to their campaign, winning two from three matches. Fourie believes the match will be a very good one and lauds the progress their hosts have made in the past weeks.

Under the guidance of former Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer, the George side has been making huge strides. They nearly pipped the defending SA Cup champions, the Airlink Pumas, last week, at the very same Outeniqua Park Stadium. The Pumas claimed a narrow 28-26 win.

"SWD is a good team, and their lineout mauls are very good," Fourie affirmed when asked about what to expect from the SWD Eagles. "It is something that we have been looking at, finding the best route to stop it. We are looking forward to the game. I think it's going to be a nice (Western Cape) derby.

"There is always something in it when SWD plays against Boland. Both teams are at a higher level than a year or two ago."

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers starting XV: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Xavier Mitchell; 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Louis Schreuder; 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Sauliegh Arendse; 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandre 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 Michael Mutombo, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Erik Lambrecht, 23 Thurlon Williams.

SWD Eagles v Sanlam Boland Kavaliers - Saturday @ Outeniqua Park, George (3pm)

Referee: Christopher Allsion