3 October 2026
The Toyota Cheetahs U20 secured a breathless 56-42 victory over the Leopards U20 in a high-scoring SA Rugby Under-20 encounter. Both sides threw caution to the wind in a spectacular exhibition of running rugby that produced a combined total of 14 tries.
The opening quarter was a tense slugfest until the hosts finally cracked the Leopards' defensive wall. Dian Venter initiated the scoring avalanche in the 19th minute, crashing over after a relentless build-up. Heinz Stockenstrom added the extra two points from the tee to set the tone for the afternoon.
The Free State youngsters quickly turned the screws as the Leopards struggled to contain the local pace. Bernard Wessels sliced through the defence for a brilliant five-pointer, followed shortly by a ruthless finish from Petrus Oberholzer. Stockenstrom remained flawless with the boot, sending the Cheetahs into the sheds with a comfortable 21-00 lead.
The Leopards emerged from the tunnel with renewed fire and immediately hit back through a powerful try by David Ndala. Marno Greeff slotted the conversion, igniting a furious back-and-forth second half. The visitors quickly added another through Zuan Rautenbach.
The Cheetahs responded to the wake-up call by unleashing their bench and ramping up the tempo. Bohlale Maphisa and Jade Muller crossed the whitewash in quick succession to re-establish home dominance. Stockenstrom continued his masterclass off the tee, keeping the scoreboard ticking over at a rapid rate.
The Leopards refused to lie down, launching a late offensive that yielded quick-fire tries for Raluano Ramano, Kian Rademeyer, and GJ Steenberg. The Potchefstroom outfit threatened a miraculous comeback, capitalising on a flurry of tactical substitutions.
However, the Cheetahs slammed the door shut as injury-enforced replacement Bendre Vermaak completed a stunning brace. Anrich Scheffer added a late spectacular score to seal the result beyond doubt. A final consolation try from Leopards playmaker Marno Greeff brought the curtain down on an absolute classic.
Cheetahs deservedly won 56-42.
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs U20: Tries: Bohlale Maphisa, Dian Venter, Jade Muller, Bernard Wessels, Bendre Vermaak (2), Anrich Scheffer, Petrus Oberholzer. Conversions: Heinz Stockenstrom (8).
Leopards U20: Tries: David Ndala, Kian Rademeyer, GJ Steenberg, Marno Greeff, Zuan Rautenbach, Raluano Ramano. Conversions: Marno Greeff (6).
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs U20: 1 Werner Vrey, 2 Dian Venter, 3 Petrus Oberholzer, 4 Renier Grobler, 5 Bohlale Maphisa, 6 Mokgaotsi Mosiane, 7 Sibusiso Mahlangu, 8 Mo Gcina, 9 Bernard Wessels, 10 Donelle Hendriks, 11 Jade Muller, 12 Hendrik Van Der Westhuizen, 13 Anrich Scheffer, 14 Junior Ramosena, 15 Heinz Stockenstrom. Replacements: 16 Jan Coetzee, 17 De Villiers Kotze, 18 Ruan Smuts, 19 Oyama Frans, 20 Kgolagano Legodi, 21 HG Muller, 22 Bendre Vermaak, 23 Jordan Van Wyk.
Leopards U20: 1 Robert John-onsunkwo, 2 Eli Pedro. 3 Botshelo Motsepe, 4 Erich Potgieter, 5 Zuan Rautenbach, 6 Christoff Nel, 7 Adrian Freemantle, 8 GJ Steenberg, 9 Marcwin Nero, 10 Marno Greeff, 11 David Ndala, 12 Eagan Roux, 13 Handre Maree, 14 Hanu Fourie, 15 Christopher Dennis. Replacements: 16 Luan Van Der Sandt, 17 Kian Rademeyer, 18 Wandisa Mthobeni, 19 Raluano Ramano, 20 Liebrecht Winterbach, 21 Nicolaz Burden, 22 Jhanco De Beer, 23 Lorenzo Kroutz.