Boland crush Stormers to move into second place in Currie Cup

MATCH REPORT: Boland leapfrogged to second in the Currie Cup standings with their sterling 41-3 victory over the Stormers.

It was a masterclass of using opportunities by the Cavaliers, especially their back three and the halfback pairing of Louis Schreuder and Chris Smit, who created the space and opportunities and that resulted in winger Jayden Bantom scoring a hat-trick of tries.

From the kick-off, Boland wasted no time, getting over the tryline in the first minute through Domenic Smit from a scrum after excellent distribution by flyhalf Chris Smit.

Two minutes later, they did so again after a poor knock-on by a Stormer. Boland pounced on the possession and sent their fleet-footed Xavier Mitchell over in the corner.

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The tries weren’t converted, but Boland had their tails up early in the game.

The Stormers’ handling continued to hamper them as another wild pass was dropped unceremoniously.

Just under ten minutes from kick-off, Boland was almost in for their third try, Mitchell just not quick enough to follow a kick through by their No.10.

After 15 minutes, the Stormers finally managed entry into the 22 and following a scrum five metres out, they had the perfect opportunity to score, but Boland’s defence was too strong.

In the end, they opted for a three-pointer through the boot of Dominic Malgas to get on the scoreboard.

With the hooter having gone for halftime, Boland had the visitors on the ropes once more. Their maul drive went for the tryline, and the try was reviewed; however, it was assessed as being held up.

Boland was attacking seven meters out from the Stormers try-line, looking dangerous, and after some slick passing Joshua Eras grabbed their third try eight minutes into the second half.

After some end-to-end kicking, Boland had good ball possession close to the Stormers 10m line. Play went coast to coast with brilliant interplay and Bantom ran straight through the middle to bag Boland’s fourth bonus-point try.

With the home side comfortably ahead 27-3, the comeback fight became a stretch too far for the young Stormers side.

When Ashlon Davids replaced Smit at flyhalf, their gifted backline got right back into attack mode, and Bantom grabbed another try in the corner.

He converted and stretched their lead to 34-3 heading into the last quarter.

Bantom ran in for his hat-trick with four minutes left on the clock, clinching a stunning victory for Boland that catapulted them into second spot in the Currie Cup standings.

Showing immense intent, Boland kept chipping away until after the full-time hooter went, and Lunathi Nxele almost got over; however, he just stepped out.

Scorers:

For Boland:
Tries: Smit, Mitchell, Eras, Bantom 3
Cons: Bantom 4
Pens: Bantom

For Stormers XXIII:
Pen: Malgas

Teams:

Boland: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (captain), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Alistair Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Johnré Stopforth, 20 Taine Booysen, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 David Brits.

Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Dominic Malgas, 9 Stefan Ungerer (captain), 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Dylan de Leeuw, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Kian Davis

Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Juan de Bod, Zoe Naude
TMO: Egon Seconds