Boland Cavaliers aim for victory with strategic player rotation against Bulls

The Boland Cavaliers will want to avoid a see-saw Currie Cup performance by building on their recent win over the Lions when they take on the Bulls in Wellington on Sunday.

It will be their final round-robin game at the Boland Stadium (3 pm start) and one the team must make count if they want to stay in contention for a playoff in front of their rowdy supporters later in the tournament. They’ve won the first match, then lost, and most recently picked up another victory. So, if they have another dip in performance after a good win, it will undo the hard work of last weekend.

Fresh off that bonus-point win over the Lions, the Cavaliers will look to take the scalp of another big team to continue their winning spree.

Hawies Fourie, Boland coach, opted to rotate some of his players, wanting to give game time to those on the fringes and some players returning from injury. The selection of his two form props, Dayan van der Westhuizen and Wayrin Losper, on the bench is also an interesting choice. However, they can provide a game-changing impact in the second half.

“It was a bit of a balancing act,” Fourie said about the changes.

“We want to build continuity, but we also want to keep the squad fresh. I feel we have to reward players who are close to (making) the team and training well.”

Livewire flanker Sibusiso Sangweni has recovered from his ankle injury and slots into the No 7 jersey, but captain Marlyn Williams will miss the crucial clash due to a facial injury. Former Stormers lock Jurie van Vuuren will get a run in the lock jersey in the place of Williams. Eighth man Thurlow Marsh will captain the side.

Van der Westhuizen and Losper are replaced by Doctor Booysen and Mthokozisi Gumede. The starting backline that ran the Lions’ defence to shreds is unchanged after Donavan Don was cleared to play following a slight niggle after scoring two tries last weekend.

“Continuity is always important in a team, so I feel we are keeping the core of the team the same. But we will continue to rotate in certain positions where we feel the players will help the team perform better.

“Marlyn injured his cheekbone and had an operation on Wednesday, so Jurie moves into the starting lineup to replace him.”

The Bolanders need the same intensity on defence, especially when it comes to stopping the rolling mauls, if they want to curb the Bulls. Their scrum was solid, and Booysen, alongside Gumede, will have big boots to fill with veteran hooker Sidney Tobias in the middle of them.

Should the forwards gain the ascendancy, it will likely open the door for the backline to get into their attacking groove. They were full of running against the Lions and will want to back that performance up.

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 (captain), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Ludio Williams, 5 Jurie van Vuuren, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede. Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Wayrin Losper, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Khwezi Mafu, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht.