WP and Pumas claim U21 provincial titles

The Under-21 teams of DHL Western Province and the Pumas were crowned champions of their respective provincial competitions this year, beating off the challenges of the defending champions on their way to claiming the silverware.

On Saturday 14 October, DHL WP were too strong for the Fidelity ADT Lions, winning the final of the SA Rugby U21 Cup competition in Cape Town by 32-22, outscoring their visitors from Gauteng by four tries to three.

Former Junior Springbok captain, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, led the DHL WP team and contributed 10 points with two conversions and two penalty goals.

WP qualified for the final by beating the Vodacom Bulls – champions in 2022 – by 34-7 in the semi-finals the previous weekend.

The Lions snuck through in the other semi-final against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, winning a thriller in Johannesburg by 32-31 to book their trip to Cape Town for the final.

The Pumas won the SA Rugby U21 Shield.

Two weeks ago, on Saturday 30 September, the Pumas beat Eastern Province in the final of the SA Rugby U21 Shield in Middelburg.

The Pumas topped the log in the North Section courtesy of a 42-24 victory over the Griffons - the defending champions from 2022 - in their final pool match.

Border topped the standings in the South Section, but were beaten 36-21 in the semi-final of that pool to set up the final and a trip to Middelburg.

Both teams scored four tries apiece at Middelburg High School, but the hosts from Mpumalanga’s kept the scoreboard ticking over with five penalty goals, with Rassie Fredericks scoring 26 points with two tries, two conversions and four penalties.

Scorers:

U21 Cup: DHL Western Province 32 (24) Fidelity ADT Lions 22 (15)
WP – Tries: Paul de Villiers, Imad Khan, Damian Markus, Luke Burger. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Khan. Penalty goals: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2).
Lions – Tries: Renzo du Plessis, Nico Steyn, Keagan Smith. Conversions: Sam Francis (2). Penalty goal: Francis.

U21 Shield: Pumas 39 (21) Eastern Province 32 (24)
Pumas – Tries: Rassie Fredericks (2), Seyabonga Ngobeni, Vuyelwa Khoza. Conversions: Fredericks (2). Penalty goals: Fredericks (4), Jan Joubert.
EP – Tries: Bholi Botha (2), Ruan Claassen, Tembs Hlela. Conversions: Diego Swartz (3). Penalty goals: Swartz, Godwin Fillis.

SA Rugby U21 Cup SA Rugby U21 Shield DHL Western Province Pumas Fidelity ADT Lions Eastern Province

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