Currie Cup result: Boland stun Cheetahs in Wellington
The Boland Cavaliers got their 2025 Currie Cup campaign off to the perfect start when they stunned the Cheetahs 37-35 in their opening game in Wellington on Sunday afternoon.
Hawies Fourie's team qualified for the top-eight Premier Division of the Currie Cup after performing well in the SA Cup competition some months ago.
The newcomers to the Premier Division dominated the opening half of the match and led 27-14 at half-time.
But the Cheetahs responded with an energised second half performance and looked to have sewn the match up deep into the half. But two late tries by the Bolanders, the final one well into over-time, secured a dramatic win for Fourie and his charges.
Both teams scored five tries in a hugely entertaining game.
The Cheetahs' coaching staff of Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar will not be happy after their side got back into the game in the second half, just to give it away at the end.
The Cheetahs are next up against the Pumas at home on Friday, while Boland take on Griquas in Kimberley next Sunday.
In the other matches this weekend, the Pumas beat Griquas 49-28 in Mbombela, the Lions beat the Sharks 46-5 in Joburg and the Bulls beat Western Province 48-23 in Cape Town.
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The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Don strikes late as Boland sink Cheetahs in 88-minute Currie Cup thriller
Donavan Don scored in the dying moments to hand the Boland Cavaliers a dramatic 37-35 win over the Cheetahs in Wellington. Boland dominated early proceedings, smashing into contact and putting pressure on the Cheetahs at scrum time and the breakdown. Fullback James Tedder slotted two penalties to reward Boland's pressure and maintain the scoreboard pressure against an unsettled Cheetahs side. Ashlon Davids finished a flowing move to score the opening try, with Tedder's conversion pushing Boland into a 13–0 lead. The Cheetahs were punished for sloppy restarts and lineout errors as Boland enjoyed almost complete control in the first quarter. Hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg pounced on an overthrow to grab Free State's first try and shift momentum toward the visitors. Scrumhalf Rewan Kruger darted through a gap to score and give the Cheetahs a 14–13 lead midway through the half. David Brits hit back almost immediately for Boland after poor Cheetahs defence allowed him space out wide to dive over. Gideon van der Merwe was yellow-carded, and Boland capitalised as Davids raced away to score his second of the match. The hosts led 27–14 at half-time, having bounced back from a mini wobble with sharp counter-attacking play and clinical finishing. Despite Boland's strong finish to the half, the Cheetahs showed signs they still had more to offer after the break. Replacement Carel-Jan Coetzee finished a solid phase buildup to get the Cheetahs going early in the second half. Van der Merwe made amends with a powerful try from close range, before Vernon Paulo rumbled over to make it 35–27. Boland's energy dipped noticeably as the visitors took control of possession, territory and tempo midway through the second period. The Cheetahs looked set for victory before Paulo's late yellow card shifted momentum at the worst possible moment. Marcqiewn Titus scored on the stroke of full-time, giving Boland a shot at a miracle comeback win in added time. Boland retained the restart and launched wave after wave of attacks against a desperate Cheetahs defence in added time. Cheetahs tackled bravely but couldn't clear their lines or force a turnover during nearly eight minutes of extra time. Eventually, Donavon Don found space and sprinted clear to score the match-winning try and spark wild celebrations in Wellington. It was a moment of composure, precision and pace as Don read the defence perfectly and finished under heavy pressure. Boland next face Griquas in Kimberley, while the Cheetahs regroup at home ahead of a clash with the Pumas. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Currie Cup result: Boland stun Cheetahs in Wellington
Both teams scored five tries in a hugely entertaining game. The Boland Cavaliers got their 2025 Currie Cup campaign off to the perfect start when they stunned the Cheetahs 37-35 in their opening game in Wellington on Sunday afternoon. Hawies Fourie's team qualified for the top-eight Premier Division of the Currie Cup after performing well in the SA Cup competition some months ago. The newcomers to the Premier Division dominated the opening half of the match and led 27-14 at half-time. But the Cheetahs responded with an energised second half performance and looked to have sewn the match up deep into the half. But two late tries by the Bolanders, the final one well into over-time, secured a dramatic win for Fourie and his charges. Both teams scored five tries in a hugely entertaining game. The Cheetahs' coaching staff of Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar will not be happy after their side got back into the game in the second half, just to give it away at the end. The Cheetahs are next up against the Pumas at home on Friday, while Boland take on Griquas in Kimberley next Sunday. In the other matches this weekend, the Pumas beat Griquas 49-28 in Mbombela, the Lions beat the Sharks 46-5 in Joburg and the Bulls beat Western Province 48-23 in Cape Town.
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
Beefy Bartho Hlekani can fill a big hole for Lions after injury blow against the Sharks in Currie Cup
Angelo Davids of the Lions scores, despite the attentions of Phiko Sobahle of the Sharks at Emirates Airline Park this past weekend. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Lions' handsome 46-5 Currie Cup victory over the Sharks came at a cost, with flank Izan Esterhuizen suffering a serious injury. However, this setback could be offset by the timely arrival of burly Bathobele Hlekani, a Junior Springbok who made a huge impact in Italy. Hlekani has been with the Sharks but, curiously, has slipped out of their net. His signature is a significant coup for a Lions squad that usually sees players going the other way — to Durban, as has been the recent case with Springbok Edwill van der Merwe and Emmanuel Tshituka. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Hlekani was one of three players from the victorious Junior Bok side at the World U20 Championship to be invited to train with the Springboks. Lions coach Mzwakhe Nkosi said they would like Hlekani to join them pronto. 'Izan's injury looks like a season-ender,' Nkosi said. 'We will try and get Batho to Joburg sooner rather than later. Yeah, he's probably out for the season, so we have to scramble hard. I just spoke to the CEO; we will have to source another openside flanker as soon as possible,' the coach added. The Lions outclassed a Sharks side that was packed with newcomers. With ball in hand, Bathobele Hlekani drives forward, a formidable force who will soon bring his Junior Springbok power and talent to the Lions' pack. Photo: World Rugby Image: World Rugby 'I wouldn't say we were a more experienced side, but we are probably more settled,' Nkosi said. 'Nico Steyn just turned 22, and Jarrod Cairns has only just turned 23. SJ Kotze is still 21; RF Schoeman hasn't turned 22 yet. We are probably a whole lot more settled than JP's team (Pietersen's). When SJ came on, I thought he made a difference.' 'I am happy with the level of performance,' Nkosi continued. 'We were a bit apprehensive. We haven't played a game. The Pumas have played two or three, Griquas have played, and Province have played two. "So, we and the Bulls have gone in cold. We were nervous. So it's good that we got the cobwebs out, and also that we got a result like we got.' Nkosi praised the performances of Angelo Davids and Rabs Maxwane, who were constant threats on attack. Davids has joined the Lions from the Stormers. 'If you can have guys like Angelo and Rabs on the edges, you want to get the ball to them sooner rather than later. That's who we are and how we want to play. "Angelo will hit his straps. He must have had three games in two seasons. He has been frustrated; his game hasn't improved at the trajectory that he would have liked. "So, hopefully, before the start of the URC, he can get to a place where he can compete. And obviously, there is a vacancy with the departure of Edwill van der Merwe, so hopefully, he can put his hand up to stake a claim in that URC team.'
