The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers produced a dominant second-half performance to overturn a halftime deficit and defeat Fidelity ADT Lions 38–29 in the fifth round of the Black Label Currie Cup on August 14 at FNB Wits Rugby Stadium.

The Lions made the brighter start to the match, racing into an early lead through tries from Sam Francis, Keagan Smith, and Jarod Cairns. Francis added further points with the boot as the hosts opened up a 17–0 advantage inside the opening 15 minutes.
Boland gradually found their rhythm, with Mthokozisi Gumede crossing the line to reduce the deficit, and Ashlon Davids converting the try to make it 17–7. Gift Dlamini added another score late in the half as the visitors closed the gap to trail just 17–14 at the break.

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The momentum, however, completely changed in the second half. Boland’s Sibusiso Sangweni scored an early try, whilst Davids kept the scoredboard ticking with accurate kicking. Boland’s Jeandre Leonard added further points, and James Tedder got his chance from the spot to make it 28–17.

Lions’ Smith crossed the line again to keep his team’s hopes alive with a try to make it 28–22, but soon after, Boland’s Gumede scored his second try, with Tedder following suite converting from the spot, increasing their advantage to 35–22.

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Although the Lions managed late tries through Rynhardt Jonker, even with Francis converting the kick, the comeback came too late as Boland’s Tedder closed out the contest with a successful conversion.

Boland head coach Hawies Fourie praised his side’s fight after recovering from an early 17-point deficit. He admitted the difficult start reminded him of last seasons Currie Cup semi-final defeat to the Lions, but he had hoped for a different outcome. “We felt good enough to turn it around. We had to believe in ourselves.” Fourie described it as one of the most memorable victories of the season.

While Boland celebrated the victory, Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi said his side paid the price for failing to convert opportunities. Nkosi said a lack of discipline allowed Boland back into the contest after the Lions had taken control early in the match. “At 17–7 we felt one more score could put the game away, but our ill-discipline undid us. We let them into our 22 far too easily and they converted their chances. Unlike us, they were composed in the 22.”

Boland’s second-half turnaround secured an impressive away victory, while the Lions were left reflecting on missed opportunities that ultimately proved costly, leaving them with work to do in the race for a Currie Cup semi-final place.

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