Jayden Bantom stars with hat-trick as Boland outclass Stormers XXIII to move into second

The winger crossed for a hat-trick of tries, added five successful kicks and finished with 26 points as Boland claimed their second successive bonus-point win to climb into second place on the Currie Cup standings. The Stormers, who had opened their campaign with victory over Griquas, suffered their first defeat and dropped to sixth.

Boland imposed themselves from the outset, controlling possession, territory and the set pieces while capitalising on the visitors' mistakes.

The hosts needed barely two minutes to open the scoring when fullback Domenic Smit burst over after slick handling created space from a scrum. Just minutes later, a Stormers handling error was punished as Xavier Mitchell finished in the corner to double the advantage, although both conversion attempts drifted wide.

The Stormers struggled to establish any attacking rhythm in an error-filled first half and had to settle for Dominic Malgas' penalty after Boland's defence repelled several promising attacks. Bantom added a penalty before the interval to send the Cavaliers into the break with a deserved 13-3 lead after a late maul effort had been held up over the line.

Boland wasted little time extending their advantage after the restart. Hooker Joshua Eras crashed over from a lineout move, with Bantom adding the conversion before the winger took centre stage.

He claimed Boland's bonus-point try with a powerful run through the middle after a flowing backline move, then finished another sweeping attack out wide to put the result beyond doubt.

Bantom completed his hat-trick late in the contest, rounding off another clinical attacking move as the Cavaliers capped a comprehensive six-try performance. Boland continued to press until the final whistle, with Lunathi Nxele narrowly denied another score after stepping into touch.

Having already beaten the Bulls in the opening round, the Cavaliers now turn their attention to another home fixture against the Pumas next Sunday, while the Stormers XXIII will look to bounce back when they host the Sharks XV in Cape Town.

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