The action kicked off swiftly at Boland Stadium, with the Cavaliers riding the wave of support from their enthusiastic fans. Domenic Smit, playing at fullback, landed the first blow, crossing the try line within the first three minutes. Not long after, winger Xavier Mitchell capped off a fluid team movement to double their lead.
Despite his inability to convert the tries, Bantom added three points from a penalty just before the break. The first half was tough on the Stormers XXIII, who struggled to find rhythm and could only muster a penalty from flyhalf Dominic Malgas as their sole output.
The Cavaliers continued their assault after halftime, increasing their margin with an early second-half try through hooker Joshua Eras. Bantom's boot was true this time, adding the extra points. Boland's relentless pressure paid off again when Bantom himself dived over for his first try, securing the bonus point within 55 minutes.
Bantom's magic didn't end there; he completed his hat-trick with a classic finish following a slick backline maneuver, truly sealing the deal for the Cavaliers. His performance undoubtedly a key factor in their comprehensive win.
"We played as a unit today, and the energy from the home crowd really spurred us on," said Bantom. "Scoring a hat-trick is just the cherry on top."
Stinging from their heavy defeat, the Stormers XXIII are slated for a redemption match against the Sharks XV next Saturday in Cape Town. The Cavaliers will aim to extend their winning streak, hosting the Pumas in another Sunday showdown.
**Scorers for Boland Cavaliers:** Tries by Domenic Smit, Xavier Mitchell, Joshua Eras, Jayden Bantom (3); Conversions by Jayden Bantom (4); Penalty by Jayden Bantom.
**Scorer for Stormers XXIII:** Penalty by Dominic Malgas.
With Bantom's hat-trick leading the headlines, the Cavaliers are not just winning, they are making bold statements game after game. Their next fixture against the Pumas is set to be another thrilling encounter.
