Sibusiso Sangweni and Godlen Masimla will make their first Currie Cup starts of the season for the Boland Cavaliers against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Injuries suffered in last week’s win against the Lions at Ellis Park have forced several changes to the pack, with tighthead prop Dayan van der Westhuizen and loose forward Khwezi Mafu ruled out, while Darnell Osuagwu is also sidelined.
Sangweni replaces Mafu at No 8, with Kwanda Dimaza shifting to openside flank and Gift Dlamini completing the loose trio.
Alistair Vermaak makes his first start since the second round at loosehead prop, alongside hooker Joshua Eras and Mthokozisi Gumede, who moves across to tighthead in Van der Westhuizen’s absence.
Marlyn Williams, set for his 99th Boland appearance, continues his second-row partnership with Johnré Stopforth.
There are also several changes in the backline, where Masimla takes over at scrumhalf and partners Ashlon Davids.
Chris Smit returns from bronchitis to start at inside centre alongside Lunathi Nxele, while Domenic Smit has recovered from the flu that ruled him out of last week’s clash against the Lions and returns at fullback.
That sees Jayden Bantom shift to the left wing, with Cornell Engelbrecht earning his second Currie Cup appearance on the right.
Coach Hawies Fourie has opted for a 6-2 bench split, with hooker Sidney Tobias in line for his first Currie Cup appearance of the season and lock Michael Benadie included in the match 23 for the first time.
Sunday’s match will also mark Fourie’s 50th at the helm since returning to the Cavaliers in January 2024.
BOLAND CAVALIERS – 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Cornell Engelbrecht, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Sibusiso Sangweni, 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams (c), 4 Johnré Stopforth, 3 Mthokozisi Gumede, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Alistair Vermaak.
Bench: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Jeandré Leonard, 20 Michael Benadie, 21 Thurlow Marsh, 22 Bentley Geldenhuys, 23 James Tedder.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Cavaliers change 10 for Cheetahs clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Sibusiso Sangweni and Godlen Masimla will make their first Currie Cup starts of the season for the Boland Cavaliers against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
The post Cavaliers change 10 for Cheetahs clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
