The Boland Kavaliers have emerged as real title contenders after claiming their biggest scalp yet in Wellington on Sunday.

Hawies Fourie’s men downed the Vodacom Bulls 28-20 in a bruising showdown, while the Cheetahs muscled into pole position after a dramatic round of high-stakes rugby.

ALSO: Galloping Cavaliers overtake Bulls in Wellington

Boland’s fairytale season shows no sign of slowing. In front of a packed Boland Stadium, the Kavaliers came from behind twice and shrugged off four yellow cards to topple the Bulls.

Tries from Sidney Tobias, powerhouse wing Donavan Don – the competition’s leading try-scorer – Khwezi Mafu and former Bulls prop Dayan van der Westhuizen lit up the win. Playmaker Ashlon Davids’ flawless goal-kicking kept them in touch, before their forwards sealed the deal in the final quarter.

Donavon Don is a try-scoring machine 🤖🏉

He goes over for his seventh of the season 🙌

📺 Stream #CurrieCup on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/K2tM4yxO0o

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 17, 2025

The Kavaliers now sit second on the log, level on points with the Cheetahs but trailing narrowly on points difference – a remarkable turnaround for the Wellington outfit.

In Nelspruit, the Lions showed nerves of steel to pip the Pumas 36-35 in a try-fest that had the crowd on its feet. Lubabalo Dobela’s late penalty proved the difference after both teams traded blow-for-blow in a seven-try spectacle.

Renzo du Plessis bagged a brace for the Joburgers, while Jan-Henning Campher and Tiaan Pretorius crossed late for the Pumas, who at least walked away with two bonus points.

Bloemfontein delivered its own drama as the Cheetahs survived a frantic finish and two red-cards to edge Western Province 31-24.

MORE: Cheetahs survive WP scare, Lions hold off Pumas

The hosts looked in cruise control after Neels Volschenk’s try stretched their lead to 31-10, only for WP to storm back with late strikes from Jared Africa and Enos Ndiao. Down to 13 men in the dying minutes, the Free Staters dug deep to cling onto a vital five-pointer that nudges them top of the standings.

Griquas made it three wins from three at home by beating the Sharks XV 26-17 in Kimberley. Tries from Caleb Abrahams, Lourens Oosthuizen, Dylan Maart and Cameron Hufke punished Sharks ill-discipline, with the visitors coughing up two yellow cards in the decisive final quarter.

Round 5 fixtures:

Friday: Pumas v Boland, Nelspruit, 5pm

Sharks XV v WP, Durban, 7.10pm

Saturday: Cheetahs v Lions, Bloemfontein, 2pm

Sunday: Bulls v Griquas, Pretoria, 3pm

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images

At the halfway mark 👀

The Toyota Cheetahs and Sanlam Boland Kavaliers lead the way ⏫

DHL Western Province and Hollywoodbets Sharks still winless ❌#SSRugby | #CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/SpS1dxGg3c

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 18, 2025