The Sanlam Boland Cavaliers host the DHL Stormers XXIII today (Sunday) in a highly anticipated Western Cape derby at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington at 15:00 (SAST)
This Sunday afternoon clash serves as the final match of Round 2. Both regional rivals are aiming for their second successive victory of the season after kicking off their respective campaigns with impressive wins last weekend. They currently occupy third and fourth place on the Currie Cup log. [1, 2]
While the Capetonians won their previous battle last year by a comfortable 22-point margin in Cape Town, today's encounter promises a far more hostile environment. Head coach Stefan Ungerer’s side can expect a hot reception and a massive physical challenge on the field. A packed, passionate home crowd is expected to fill the stadium, giving the "Boland boys" a significant emotional lift.
Both teams head into this derby boasting perfect starts to their 2026 Currie Cup campaigns. The Boland Cavaliers clinically dispatched the Vodacom Bulls XV 24-10 during a rain-soaked opening round in Wellington, while the DHL Stormers XXIII pulled off a dramatic 25-19 upset against the defending champion Suzuki Griquas at Cape Town Stadium.
Despite their opening-round heroics, Stormers XXIII coach Tom Dawson-Squibb has explicitly labelled his side as the underdogs. He pointed directly to Boland's formidable home advantage and a stinging pre-season friendly defeat as reasons for caution. [1]
Veteran loosehead prop and former Stormers front-rower Ali Vermaak is set to make his highly anticipated debut for the Cavaliers after successfully recovering from a concussion. He represents one of three tactical changes made by Boland head coach Hawies Fourie.
Experienced scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer will captain the home side from the base of the scrum. However, the squad suffered a disruptive late blow when lock Tom Barnard was ruled out with an undisclosed injury. This late withdrawal forces Dylan de Leeuw straight into the starting line-up, while simultaneously opening the door for Luan Botha to make his debut from the substitutes' bench potentially.
Pundits highlight that the Boland Cavaliers are currently riding a four-match Currie Cup home winning streak at Boland Park; local media and analysts also point directly to a recent pre-season friendly on 5 July, where Boland soundly thrashed the Stormers 54-26 in Wellington.
Teams:
Sanlam Boland Cavaliers: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (c), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Alistair Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Johnré Stopforth, 20 Taine Booysen, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 David Brits.
DHL Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Dominic Malgas, 9 Stefan Ungerer (c), 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Dylan de Leeuw, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Oli Kebble. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Luan Botha, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Kian Davis.