The SA Rugby U21 Shield competition also started over the weekend, with the Griffons, SWD and EP all registering wins in the opening round.
The Vodacom Bulls U21s were too strong for the visiting Leopards and easily won their opening match played on the Loftus Versfeld B-field by 54-29, for a bonus-point victory.
Tiaan Lange, the Vodacom Bulls' Junior Springbok hooker, and his direct opponent, Vernon Paulo, scored three tries apiece, while Tharquinn Manuel (centre) got two of the hosts' eight five-pointers.
In Durban, DHL WP U21 won the battle of the coastal sides when they defeated the Cell C Sharks by 31-22 on the outside fields at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, with the visitors scoring five tries against the four of the KwaZulu-Natalians.
The Toyota Cheetahs and Lions U21s were not in action during the first round of action.
Meanwhile, the SA Rugby U21 Shield competition saw the Griffons clinching their contest with the Valke in Welkom by 30-14 for a winning start for the team from the Northern Free State.
In Kimberley, hosts Griquas U21 couldn’t take advantage of playing at home and lost their first-round match 50-22 to the visiting EP side at Windhoek Draught Park, with the team from the Eastern Cape moving to the Shield after the withdrawal of Boland, Border and Limpopo.
Okkie Muller and Aiden Augustus scored two tries apiece for EP, who left the Northern Cape with seven tries in total.
The clash between the U21 sides of SWD and the Pumas produced a thrilling contest at the Greenhaven Sports Ground in Groot-Brakrivier, where the home side clinched a 34-33 victory against the determined visitors from Mpumalanga.
Jaylen James (fullback) scored 19 points for SWD through a try, four conversions and two penalty goals.
Results:
SA Rugby Under-21 Cup (Round 1):
Vodacom Bulls 54, Leopards 29
DHL Western Province 31, Cell C Sharks 22
For all the Cup results, fixtures and logs, please click here.
SA Rugby Under-21 Shield (Round 1):
Griffons 30, Valke 14
SWD 34, Pumas 33
Griquas 22, Eastern Province 50
For all the Shield results, fixtures and logs, please click here.
