A powerful display of skill, speed, and discipline helped the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers beat the Border Bulldogs 74-5 in a Round Six SA Cup match at the Boland Rugby Stadium on Saturday, 18 April.
The home side got off to a fiery start, scoring four tries in the opening 23 minutes with Xavier Mitchell and Joshua Eras both crossing the tryline twice for the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers' try bonus-point. Mitchell would go on to score four tries in the second half.
Thoroughly outplayed and outscored by 12 tries to one, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers proved to be too strong for the Border Bulldogs.
James Tedder was on song off the tee, converting four of his five attempts in the first half as the players headed into the sheds with a 33-5 lead.
The victory means the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers remain within contention of that all-important top four placing.
Despite the wet and challenging playing conditions, both sides kept spreading the ball wide, giving the backs some quality territory to attack from, entertaining a rather modest Boland Rugby Stadium crowd.
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers picked things right up in the second half, where they left off in the first half. Mitchell completed his hat-trick in the first minute of the second stanza.
Dominant set pieces by the home side meant the speedsters received quality ball to get across the advantage line with ease.
Bantom crossed for his second try following some brilliant and clinical interplay between the backs and forwards, while Sibusiso Sangweni, Bentley Geldenhuys, Jurick Lewis, and Sidney Tobias all added their names to the try-scoring sheet.
A brave effort from the visitors at brief intervals enabled the Border Bulldogs to set up a handful of quality attacking phases, only to be met by an equally clinical Boland defensive effort.
Late surges by both sides meant the match ended on a high intensity note as neither team wanted to back down, but it was the seasoned hardman, Tobias, who had the final say. The replacement hooker dotting down for the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers' 12th try.
Scorers:
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: Tries: Xavier Mitchell (4), Joshua Eras (2), Jayden Bantom (2), Sibusiso Sangweni, Bentley Geldenhuys, Jurick Lewis, Sidney Tobias. Conversions: James Tedder (7)
Border Bulldogs: Try: Lonwabo Rawana
Teams:
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 15 James Tedder, 14 Riaan Louw, 13 Xavier Mitchell, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Thurlon Williams, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Thurlow Marsh, 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Taine Booysen, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede. Replacements: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Kwanda Dimaza, 21 Bentley Geldenhuys, 22 Jurick Lewis, 23 Duren Hoffman.
Border Bulldogs: 15 Lukhangele Tshayi, 14 Lutho Mene, 13 Mihlali Nchukana, 12 Hlumelo Zitha, 11 Lonwabo Rawana, 10 Isiphe Mbini, 9 Asenam Mniki, 8 Sokuphuma Xakalashe, 7 Esethu Zenani, 6 Luvumo Makata, 5 Dillan Kromhout, 4 Likho Ndiyalwa, 3 Sivuyise Mabece, 2 Sokhana Mpemba, 1 Sibusiso Lali (captain). Replacements: 16 Sokhana Mpemba, 17 Siyabonga Marele, 18 Mbasa Babele, 19 Caleb Radcliffe, 20 Kamva Tetani, 21 Sipho Hobosch, 22 Hlumelo Pantyo, 23 Mbasa Nkonki.