Sanlam Boland Cavaliers head coach Hawies Fourie named a new-look side ahead of this Sunday's Carling Currie Cup Premier Division clash against the ADT Fidelity Lions at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington.
This match will also be a special occasion for loosehead prop Wayrin Losper, who will run out for the 50th time for the Cavaliers. The uncompromising Losper, who made his debut in 2019 after joining from the Maties, also enjoyed a stint in 2023 for Italian club, Mogliano.
Louis Schreuder will make his debut after the Springbok scrumhalf had to withdraw from the side that was selected to face the Toyota Cheetahs in Round One of the tournament. The veteran suffered an ankle injury mere days before the Cheetahs clash but has now been cleared to play.
Incidentally, the last time the 35-year-old Schreuder played in the Currie Cup was the 2018 final at Newlands between Western Province and the Sharks, whom Schreuder led to glory against his former team.
He replaces Chriswill September, who will be on the bench, with Godlen Masimla falling out of the match-day 23. The only other change to the run-on backline sees Xavier Mitchell replace Marcqiewn Titus on the wing.
Marlyn Williams will captain the side and will pair up with Michael Benadie in the second row. The midfield remains unchanged with the in-form duo of David Brits and Lunathi Nxele named at outside and inside centre, respectively.
Up front, Fourie was dealt heavy blows with the injuries to lose forwards Sibusiso Sangweni and Gift Dlamini. The latter suffered a horrific leg break during Sunday’s 48-39 defeat to the Suzuki Griquas in Kimberley and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The experienced Thurlow Marsh will take Sangweni’s place at No 8, while the hardworking Sauliegh Arendse will replace Dlamini at openside flanker.
Prop Mthokozisi Gumede has been named among the replacements and is likely to make his debut after joining the Cavas from the Novafit Griffons last week. He takes the place of the injured Lamla Nunu. Hardman Ludio Williams will provide loose forward cover on the bench, and Erik Lambrecht has also been rewarded with a spot on the bench.
Marius van der Westhuizen will be the referee for this match, which will kick off at 3pm.
SANLAM BOLAND CAVALIERS: 15 James Tedder, 14 Donavan Don, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Ashlon Davids (vice-captain), 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh, 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams (captain), 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper
Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Ludio Williams, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht