The Blue Bulls U20 side put on a clinical attacking masterclass to overpower a resilient Leopards U20 team in a thrilling, try-heavy encounter. Led by a dominant first-half display and clinical goal-kicking from flyhalf Ruben Pienaar, the Pretoria team laid a foundation that the Leopards could not overcome, despite a spirited second-half fightback from the Potchefstroom outfit.
The Blue Bulls made their intentions clear right from the opening whistle. After winning the coin toss, it took them just one minute to cross the whitewash, with Xhanti Pongolo scoring the opening try. Ruben Pienaar slotted the conversion to edge into an early 07-0 lead.
The Bulls continued to apply intense pressure. Winger Unathi Mlotshwa scored his first try of the afternoon in the 19th minute, which Pienaar converted.
The Leopards showed signs of life in the 24th minute when Hanu Fourie crashed over for their opening try, though Christopher Dennis missed the conversion. The Bulls responded immediately. Mlotshwa bagged his brace just two minutes later.
The final ten minutes of the first half belonged entirely to the Bulls. Prop Ethan Van Dyk scored back-to-back tries in the 32nd and 35th minutes.
Just before the break, Leskin Samuels added his name to the scoresheet in the 37th minute. Pienaar’s reliable boot ensured the Bulls went into halftime with a commanding 38-05 lead, despite two rare missed conversions late in the half.
It took just one minute for Xhanti Pongolo to score his second try of the match, stretching the Bulls' lead even further.
However, the Leopards refused to lie down. Impact player Eli Pedro scored in the 45th minute, followed shortly by an Erich Potgieter try in the 49th minute. The Bulls suffered a setback when Aphiwe Shelembe was forced off with an injury immediately after scoring a brilliant 47th-minute try.
As the benches emptied, the game broke open into a fast-paced, coast-to-coast affair. Replacement back Ruan Enslin scored in the 63rd minute, followed by Stefan McDonald in the 68th minute, with Pienaar continuing his stellar kicking form.
The Leopards finished the game strong, launching a late offensive assault. Zuan Rautenbach (71') and Erich Potgieter (78') both crossed for late tries, both converted by Marno Greeff, briefly threatening a miraculous bonus-point hunt.
Ultimately, the Bulls had the final say. Deep into injury time, Jonathan Harding crossed for an 81st-minute try, with Pienaar adding the final conversion to seal a spectacular, high-scoring victory.
Scorers:
Blue Bulls U20: Tries: Aphiwe Shelembe, Xhanti Pongolo (2), Unathi Mlotshwa (2), Ethan Van Dyk (2), Stefan McDonald, Ruan Enslin, Jonathan Harding. Leskin Samuels. Conversions: Ruben Pienaar (9)
Leopards U20: Tries: Hanu Fourie, Zuan Rautenbach, Eli Pedro. Conversions: Erich Potgieter (2).
Teams:
Blue Bulls U20: 1 Aphiwe Shelembe, 2 Ethan Van Dyk, 3 Duwan Potgieter, 4 Likona Sodlaka, 5 Dian Smal, 6 Elwin Jansen Van Vuuren, 7 Rj Barnard, 8 Juliun Cosmo, 9 Jandrian Goosen, 10 Ruben Pienaar, 11 Unathi Mlotshwa, 12 Xhanti Pongolo, 13 Leskin Samuels, 14 Riwan Van Aswegen, 15 Liyema Nela. Replacements: 16 Stefan McDonald, 17 Dylan Engelbrecht, 18 Bongani Dlamini, 19 Franko Rossouw, 20 Migael Turner, 21 Melt Viljoen, 22 Jonathan Harding, 23 Ruan Enslin.
Leopards U20: 1 Kian Rademeyer, 2 De Wet Du Plooy, 3 Zachary Meyer, 4 Erich Potgieter, 5 Raluano Ramano, 6 Christoff Nel, 7 Adrian Freemantle, 8 GJ Steenberg, 9 Marcwin Nero, 10 Christopher Dennis, 11 Eagan Roux, 12 Jhanco De Beer, 13 Lorenzo Kroutz, 14 Hanu Fourie, 15 Anele Ngwenya. Replacements: 16 Eli Pedro, 17 Robert John-onsunkwo, 18 Wandisa Mthobeni, 19 Zuan Rautenbach, 20 Liebrecht Winterbach, 21 Dian Smith, 22 Marno Greeff, 23 Handre Maree.