The men from Pretoria beat the Cell C Sharks U21s by 47-19 in Pretoria on Saturday, shortly before the Leopards beat the Free Staters by 22-5 in Bloemfontein.

In the first game of the weekend, DHL Western Province withstood a tough challenge from the Lions to win by 25-17 in Johannesburg on Friday afternoon, ensuring the Capetonians remain second on the standings.

DHL WP and the Lions both scored three tries apiece, but the visitors’ superior goal-kicking saw them through, as Imad Kahn (scrumhalf) slotted two conversions and two penalty goals. The DHL WP No 9 also scored a try for a personal contribution of 15 points in the match.

In Pretoria on Saturday afternoon, the Vodacom Bulls scored seven tries to three in their big win over the KwaZulu-Natalians, with Tiaan Lange (hooker) and Quewin Nortje (left wing) bagging a brace each. Tiaan Fourie (scrumhalf) scored a try and added five conversions for the hosts.

And in the final match of the round, the Leopards got their first win of the season when they beat the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, scoring four tries to one in the process, with Keano Windvogel (wing) grabbing a brace for the visitors.

In the SA Rugby Under-21 Shield competition, early frontrunners Eastern Province were brought back to reality by the Griffons, who convincingly beat the men from the Eastern Cape by 65-15 in Welkom on Saturday.

The hosts from the Northern Free State scored 10 tries – including a penalty try – while EP could only reply with two five-pointers.

Junior Springbok fullback Donovan Don was in fine form and contributed 19 points to the Griffons’ cause with a try, two penalty goals and four conversions, while Benni Human (flyhalf) scored two tries and added two conversions for a personal tally of 14 points.

In the only other U21 Shield match played over the weekend, the Valke smashed neighbours the Pumas by 69-22, with Jacques Blignaut (fullback) scoring three of the East Randers’ nine tries in the match played at Middelburg High School.

SWD and Griquas had byes this weekend.

Results:

SA Rugby Under-21 Cup (Round 3):
Lions 17 DHL Western Province 25
Vodacom Bulls 47 Cell C Sharks 19
Toyota Cheetahs 5 Leopards 22

For all the Cup results, fixtures and logs, click here.

SA Rugby Under-21 Shield (Round 3):
Griffons 65 Eastern Province 15
Valke 69 Pumas 22

For all the Shield results, fixtures and logs, click here.