Captain Marlyn Williams delivered a rousing message as the Boland Cavaliers fought back to stun the Cheetahs in Wellington on Sunday.
Trailing 35-27 in the final 10 minutes of their Currie Cup Premier Division opener, the newly promoted Cavaliers looked set for a heartbreaking defeat – but a show of character, and a clutch decision to go for the corner, turned the match on its head.
It was captain Williams who reminded his teammates what was at stake.
“I said to the guys, ‘You must go out and ask yourself, did you give 100%?’” said Williams. “The scoreboard answered that. We’re a passionate team, and we’re really happy with this result.”
Donovan Don’s 88th-minute try capped a 37-35 bonus-point win in Boland’s first top-flight Currie Cup game since 2016, after they had earlier led 27-14 at half time.
RECAP: Boland edge Cheetahs in 88-minute thriller
Coach Hawies Fourie revealed that the call to chase the win was deliberate.
“I sent a message down to go for the corner,” said Fourie. “I felt we had to go big rather than settle for a draw. The purpose of this team is to inspire our community – and what the players did in those last minutes will inspire a lot of people.”
Despite the win, Fourie stressed the need to be more clinical.
“It was a game of two halves – we started well, but after the break we took the foot off the pedal and conceded a number of penalties that broke our momentum. Luckily, in the last five minutes, we got some possession and the guys showed a lot of character, keeping the ball through many phases from our own tryline to score from nearly 100 metres.”
“We made it difficult for ourselves, and it’s something we’ve got to rectify. In the SA Cup, it also happened – we get a lead and let teams off the hook. That has to improve.”
CURRIE CUP WRAP: Boland brilliant, Bulls brutal, Lions buzzing
Boland face Griquas in Kimberley on Sunday, with debutant tighthead prop Laurence Victor expected to recover from a late knock.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
