The bonus point win for the Cavaliers allowed them to keep pressure on table-topping DHL Western Province team after they defeated the EP Elephants earlier in the day, reducing the deficit to four points. 

However they dropped from second on the log to third as a massive 66-10 win for the Toyota Free State XV over the Zimbabwe Academy drew them level on 20 points with the Cavaliers, while putting them ahead on points difference.

In the match, 13 points from the boot of Boland flyhalf Garrick Mattheus and doubles to Valentino Wellman (left wing) and Keenan Cronje (flank) helped the visitors claim a solid win, despite the efforts of the Eagles who chased the whole game but never allowed them to get away.

An entertaining first 18 minutes saw three tries being scored, as the Cavaliers got off to the perfect start with Shilton van Wyk (right wing) and Cronje both going over for converted tries, only for the Eagles to hit back through Marquit September (inside centre) with Gerhard Nortier adding the extras to make it 14-7.

Cronje's second in the 24th minute and Mattheus third conversion of the match pushed their lead to 14 points again, only for the Eagles to fight back again four minutes later as SWD scrumhalf Dillin Snel went over for a converted score to keep them within seven.

With just two minutes left in the half Cavaliers reserve hooker Franna Esterhuizen drove over for an unconverted score to give the visitors some breathing space with a 26-14 lead at the break.

A scrappy first 20 minutes of the second half then saw neither side able to add to their respective tallies, but it was then the Cavaliers who went further ahead as Wellman dotted down for his first, with Mattheus conversion putting them 33-14 up after 62 minutes.

The never say die attitude of the Eagles then saw Snel get his second and fullback Leighton Eksteen convert to bring them back within 12 in the 65th minute, leading to Mattheus edging the Cavaliers 15 points up with a successful penalty five minutes later.

Wellman's second in the 75th minute then effectively ended the contest as his converted try put the Cavaliers 43-21 up, but it would be the home side who had the final say as September went over for his second and Nortier's extras ending the match in the 80th minute.

Scorers:

SWD – Tries: Dillin Snel (2), Marquit September (2). Conversions: Gerhard Nortier (2), Leighton Eksteen (2).

Boland – Tries: Keenan Cronje (2), Valentino Wellman (2), Shilton van Wyk, Franna Esterhuizen. Conversions: Garrick Mattheus (5). Penalty goal: Mattheus.