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22 March 2024
With anticipation for the upcoming SA Cup building, the squad is focused on taking Boland to new heights. The team was announced on Wednesday, 20 March at the Sanlam Investment Offices.
Led by the newly appointed Head Coach, Hawies Fourie, a former Boland coach and player, the squad boasts a perfect blend of seasoned seniors and promising newcomers, each eager to showcase their skills, abilities, and passion for the game. The team has undergone rigorous training sessions and strategic preparations to ensure they are in top form for the challenges ahead.
"We are fortunate that we are in a position to have a squad of 37 players. With Boland being the biggest union in South Africa based on the number of players at club level, our final squad represents the best of various Boland amateur clubs,” said Coach Hawies Fourie. “I believe South Africa will take notice of the positive changes in Boland this year, with many more to come.”
The squad of 37 includes 22 players with Boland backgrounds, which contributed to their development. Captain Thurlow Marsh said the new Head Coach has made a major difference, “We felt the difference with the coming of Hawies. Our intensity picked up with training, and we hope this can be shown on the field.”
Bennie van Rooi, President of Boland Rugby, added that the involvement of Sanlam has helped catapult the team to new heights, “With the support of Sanlam and the likes of Vuma and Santam, Boland is well equipped, with a strong selection of contracted players complemented by a seasoned local coach.”
Karl Socikwa, Sanlam Group Executive – Market Development and Sustainability, said, “As a boy growing up in Mthatha, I learned many life skills while wearing my number 14 jersey on the rugby field. Sport plays a vital role in fostering discipline, good work ethic, and leadership skills. These are skills that you learn on the field but carry through life.
“Through our partnership with Boland Rugby Union, we want to shed light on the transformative power of sport, both on and off the field. Through this sponsorship, we are not only supporting athletes and teams but also contributing to the growth and development of the communities in which we operate. This deeply aligns with Sanlam’s mission to empower all Africans to live with confidence.”
The squad announcement also saw the unveiling of the Cavalier’s new kit, which the players modelled on the day. Socikwa added, “Together with the other sponsors, we’re proud to be building a Boland team that we hope will attract and retain the very best players. Our goal is to make this team a force within South African rugby, and we’re excited to see this unfold under the able leadership of Coach Fourie and Captain Marsh.”
Quintin Van Rooyen, the CEO of Boland Rugby, thanked the team’s sponsors for their sustained belief in Boland rugby, “Thank you to our exceptional sponsors – Sanlam, VUMA, Santam and Canterbury – for supporting our vision.”
Fans can catch their first glimpse of the team in action at the season opener on Friday, 22 March, in Bloemfontein, where the Cavaliers will face off against the Cheetahs, with the match shown live on SuperSport at 18:00.
Boland’s first home game will be Saturday, 30 March, in Wellington against the Griffons.
Props:
Andrew Beerwinkel Gerrit Bester Mohammed Dioup Nicholas Duhwa Abdurugmaan Latief Lamla Nunu Dayan van der Westhuizen
Hookers:
Emile Booysen Albert Du Plessis Kelvin Fikster Sidney Tobias
Locks:
Schalk Oelofse Liam Tattersall Carl Truter Marlyn Williams
Loose Forwards:
Sauleigh Arendse Taine-Randall Booysen Emile Booysen Gift Dlamini Tyreec Liederman Thurlow Marsh Keenan Opperman Peter-John Smit
Scrum Halves:
Jason Beukes Bentley Geldenhuys Chriswill September
Fly Halves:
Garth April Darian Hock
Centres:
Jurick Lewis Erik Lambrechts Xavier Mitchell Duran Nassin
Wings:
Cornell Engelbrecht Riaan Louw Andre Manual Granwill Matthys
Fullbacks:
Ashlon Davids Gavern Skippers
Full list of team management is listed below:
Hawies Fourie: Head Coach Mornay Kurtz: Assistant Coach Alshaun Bock: Assistant Coach Jacquin Jansen: Assistant Coach Iver Aanhuizen: Strength & Conditioning Coach Greshne van Wyk: Physiotherapist Grant Jantjies: Team Manager Moses Fortuin: Logistics Manager