Sanlam Boland Cavaliers have shown their intent of not just being also-rans in this season’s Currie Cup Premiership after having a busy recruitment drive ahead of the competition’s July 25 kick-off. And although coach Hawies Fourie has yet to confirm a few already publicised signings, Telecom Asia Sport can confirm that livewire and versatile Eastern Province backline player Jayden Bantom has made the move from Gqeberha to Wellington.
Standout Elephants Signing
Bantom, a former South African Schools and Vodacom Bulls youth player, has been a standout player for coach Allister Coetzee’s EP Elephants in this year’s SA Cup competition.
In last season’s Currie Cup First Division, Bantom also had a breakout season, helping EP reach the final and getting nominated as Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year. Boland flyhalf Ashlon Davids eventually won that.
His departure is a big blow for Coetzee’s Elephants, who kick-off their Currie Cup First Division campaign this Saturday against the South Western District Eagles at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Opportunity at Higher Level
Speaking exclusively to Telecom Asia Sport about Bantom’s departure to the Boland, EP Rugby president, George Malgas, says it was difficult to stand in the way of a star player hoping to play rugby at a higher level.
Malgas says:
They have already signed our fullback Jaydon Bantom who is supposed to make the move over to Boland. He was one of the [2024] First Division Players of the Year. He ran circles around Boland [in a recent SA Cup game]. And then Boland are also looking at signing one of our props Siya Nzuzo but we are still trying to hold on to him.
The EP Rugby boss also confirmed the departure of Zukisa Sali to the 2025 SA Cup champions, the Airlink Pumas, while the Vodacom Bulls recalled loaned out lock JJ Scheepers, who Malgas says was a standout player for the Elephants during the SA Cup.
Kavas Sign Ex-Springbok
Meanwhile Boland has reportedly also secured the services of former Springbok and ex-Stormers scrumhalf Louis Schreuder, who is currently playing club rugby in England for newly crowned European Challenge Cup winners Bath who also contested Saturday’s, 14 June, English Premiership Final against Leicester Tigers.
Two Springbok Sevens players David Britz and Donovan Don have apparently also been loaned out to Boland for the Currie Cup Premier Division.
The agency for ex-Bulls flyhalf Juan Mostert, International Players Management, also jumped the gun after announcing that the current Rovigo club (Italy) player had also signed up to join the Kavas.
Former Maties Varsity Cup winger Marqiewn Titus is also on his way to Wellington after being released by the Suzuki Griquas. Cavaliers boss, Fourie, will make an official announcement about the new recruitments in the upcoming days.
Boland kick off their Currie Cup Premier Division campaign on Sunday, 27 July, when they host the Toyota Cheetahs at Boland Stadium in Wellington.
