The newly promoted Sanlam Boland Cavaliers will open their Carling Currie Cup Premier Division campaign with a revamped backline featuring three debutants for Sunday’s home clash against the Toyota Cheetahs in Wellington. Blitzbok loanees Donovan Don (left wing) and David Brits (outside center) join local talent Marcqiewn Titus (right wing) in the starting lineup.
There was a late change at scrumhalf after Louis Schreuder, initially named in the XV, withdrew due to an ankle injury. Chriswill September steps up to start alongside vice-captain Ashlon Davids, with Godlen Masimla added to the bench. Lunathi Nxele partners Brits in midfield, while James Tedder starts at fullback.
The forward pack sees continuity, with the experienced front row of Wayrin Losper, Sidney Tobias, and Dayan van der Westhuizen anchoring the scrum. Lock Marlyn Williams returns from injury to captain the side in place of Thurlow Marsh, who is among the replacements. He partners with Michael Benadie in the second row. The loose trio of Gift Dlamini, Khwezi Mafu, and Sibusiso Sangweni provides a dynamic mix of power, mobility, and work rate.
Former Cheetahs prop Laurence Victor, now with Boland, is in line for a debut off the bench, while lock Ameer Hendricks could make his first official appearance of the season after recovering from injury. Flyhalf Juan Mostert, who has previously played for Maties, the Bulls, and Rovigo, is also among the replacements.
Head coach Hawies Fourie, who won the Currie Cup with the Cheetahs in 2022, faces his former side in a match set to kick off at 15:00. Referee Stephan Geldenhuys will officiate the fixture at Boland Rugby Stadium, with gates opening from 12:00.
SANLAM BOLAND CAVALIERS TEAM:
15 James Tedder, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Donavan Don, 10 Ashlon Davids (vc), 9 Chriswill September, 8 Sibusiso Sangweni, 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams (c), 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper.
Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Thurlow Marsh, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Xavier Mitchell.
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