Boland Cavaliers coach Hawies Fourie had to rejig his forwards pack following injuries to crucial players as they prepare for a tough battle with the high-flying Lions on Sunday in the Currie Cup.
Fourie made changes to his loose trio and in the front row for the clash in Wellington (3pm kick-off), with No 8 Sibusiso Sangweni and flanker Gift Dlamini both suffering injuries, alongside loosehead Lamla Nunu.
Dlamini’s injury is particularly severe, having broken his leg during a tight encounter against Griquas. His absence for the rest of the season is a significant blow to the Wellington-based team. The hard-working Sangweni had a strong showing in Kimberley and played through his injury as he looked to get his team over the line.
Unfortunately, the Wellington side suffered a 48-39 loss, but they are charged up for the duel in front of their home fans. However, the challenge posed by the Lions, who have shown prowess on the field, is daunting. The Cavaliers understand that they need to bolster their set pieces and strengthen their defensive line if they hope to stymie the visitors.
After struggling up front in both their matches, Fourie will hope the changes to the pack do not affect his team too much.
Loosehead prop Wayrin Losper, a former Varsity Cup star, will pack down in his 50th match, and his performance with hooker Sydney Tobias and tighthead Dayan van der Westerhuizen will be heavily scrutinised.
Former captain Thurlow Marsh steps in for the injured Sangweni, while Sauliegh Arendse replaces Dlamini in the No 6 jersey. Additionally, the Cavaliers will see the debut of veteran scrumhalf Louis Schreuder, returning from injury to replace the dynamic Chriswill September, who now finds himself on the bench. Should Mthokozisi Gumede be called upon as a substitute, he will also make his debut.
Losper says it will be a massive honour to run out in his 50th match for the Cavaliers after joining the team in 2019.
“The dream was always to play rugby professionally and now that I am playing in my 50th, it feels like I have lived that dream and things can only progress from here on,” the loosehead said.
“I never played provincial rugby at school level and had to go play U20 rugby at the University of Cape Town to work my way up and to get that opportunity here at Boland. So, it doesn’t matter if you play at age-group provincial level or not, as long as you believe.
“Things won’t be straightforward at times, and you may think things are not going your way. It’s important to continue following your dream, and if you believe in God, things will work out.”
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.
