Former Eastern Province and Falcons wing Luvo Sogidashe and last year's Boland Under-20 No.8 Junior Bester, will make their Currie Cup debut for the Boland Cavaliers - when they face the Leopards in the opening match of the competition, in Wellington on Friday.

Both players caught the eye in Boland's three warm-up matches.

Sogidashe is as nippy as ever, while Bester is earmarked as a star of the future.

Coach Deon Davids has also opted for Cornal Hendricks and Dewey Swartbooi at centre, leaving Hein Myburgh on the bench.

Wendall Wehr also gets a well-deserved opportunity in the No.7 jersey in the place of Josh Strauss, who is still nursing a sore knee.

Davids also handed experienced hooker Conrad Burke back the captaincy. He missed most of last season due to injury.

Three of Boland's new signings will all start on the bench.

They are Pukke lock Grant le Roux, former Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup captain and No.8 Carel Hoffman, and former Golden Lions fullback Mark Harris.

With 60 percent rain predicted for the Western Cape on Friday, the match could develop into a tactical affair with both flyhalves, Elgar Watts (Boland) and Clayton Durand, playing a vital role.

Boland Cavaliers: 15 Justin Peach, 14 Deon Scholtz, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Dewey Swartbooi, 11 Luvo Sogidashe, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Junior Bester, 7 Wendall Wehr, 6 Zolani Mofu, 5 Rito Hlungwane, 4 Frikkie Spies, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Conrad Burke (captain), 1 Janro van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Clemen Lewis, 17 Jané du Toit, 18 Grant le Roux, 19 Carel Hoffman, 20 Angelo Brinkhuys, 21 Mark Harris, 22 Hein Myburgh.

Date: Friday, July 10
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 15.30 (13.30 GMT)
Referee: Pro Legoete
Assistant referees: Gareth Lloyd-Jones, Archie Sehlako

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