Playing at home in Durban, the Sharks showed their attacking pedigree as the came out tops by big margin of 32 points in the U21 decider, which delivered a total of 94 points.

The Lions, who last week knocked out the defending champions DHL WP in Cape Town, trailed by just four points going into the break with the score at 28-24 in favour of the Sharks, who last week edged the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria in their semi-final.

While the first half was an open and even affair, the Sharks piled on the pressure after the break to run in 35 points via five converted tries to take the game away from their Gauteng opponents, while the Lions could only add one converted try to their tally.

Three members of the triumphant Junior Springbok squad from earlier this year, Jaco Williams (2), Matt Romao and Simphiwe Ngobese, were amongst the Sharks’ try scorers while Luan Giliomee – who was included in the SA U19 Academy squad last week – succeeded with all nine conversions.

Two other members of the 2025 Junior Bok squad, Haashim Pead and Gilermo Mentoe, scored for the Lions, while flyhalf Matthew Coetzee succeeded with the four conversions and a penalty goal.

Scorers:

Hollywoodbets Sharks U21 63 (28) – Tries: Jaco Williams (2), Jean-Henri Smit (2), Andrew Davis, Matt Romao, Simphiwe Ngobese, Christoff Etzebeth, Nathi Ntuli. Conversions: Luan Giliomee (9).

Fidelity ADT Lions U21 31 (24) – Tries: Michail Damon, Asemahle Nongogo, Gilermo Mentoe, Haashim Pead. Conversions: Matthew Coetzee (4). Penalty goal: Coetzee.

The Vodacom Bulls U19s celebrate.

Vodacom Bulls take SA Rugby U19 Cup final honours

The Vodacom Bulls took the honours in the SA Rugby Under-19 Cup final when they defeated DHL Western Province by 20-14 in a close-fought encounter on Friday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, to reclaim the national title they lost to neighbours, the Fidelity ADT Lions, last season.

The young men from Pretoria led their Cape rivals 12-7 at the halfway stage and eventually prevailed by outscoring their opponents by three tries to two on the day, ensuring they finish the season unbeaten after winning all their league games.

Left wing Lindsey Jansen opened the scoring for the hosts early on and he was followed over the tryline by front ranker Aphiwe Shelembe, while Aka Boqwana added the extras, handing the Bulls a 12-0 lead.

WP flanker Aden De Costa registered their first try late in the first half, reducing the deficit to 12-7 at the halftime break.

Olunje Mehlomakulu, replacement outside back of WP, then added a long distance try for the visitors, which flyhalf Rayaan Solomons also converted, briefly giving the Cape side a two-point lead at 14-12.

However, the Bulls’ reply was swift when barely two minutes later Boqwana added their third try. He missed the conversion, but the Bulls were now back in the lead at 17-14, and their fullback added three points later when he slotted a penalty goal to make the final score 20-14.

Scorers:

Vodacom Bulls U19 20 (12) - Tries: Aphiwe Shelembe, Aka Boqwana, Lindsey Jansen. Conversion: Boqwana. Penalty goal: Boqwana.

DHL Western Province U19 14 (7) - Tries: Olunje Mehlomakulu, Aden De Costa. Conversions: Rayaan Solomons (2).