10 October 2026
The Vodacom Bulls U20 delivered a masterclass in attacking rugby to defeat the Toyota Cheetahs U20 63-34 in a 15-try spectacle, securing a home semi-final.
The Cheetahs caught the visitors cold straight from the kickoff. Anrich Scheffer crossed the whitewash in the opening minute to give the Toyota Cheetahs U20 a perfect start. Heinz Stockenstrom missed the tough conversion from out wide.
The Vodacom Bulls U20 quickly settled into their structures and launched a furious counter-offensive. Luan Van der Berg and Migael Turner dotted down in quick succession to shift the momentum. Jan Coetzee hit back for the Cheetahs with a converted try to briefly tie the ball game at 12-12.
The Pretoria outfit shifted into top gear to completely dominate the final 20 minutes of the half. Lindsey Jansen, Melt Viljoen, and Ethan Van Dyk sliced through the Cheetahs' defensive line for three converted tries. The Bulls went into the tunnel with a commanding 31-12 lead.
The Bulls showed no signs of slowing down after the break as Pieter Van der Merwe bashed his way over in the 41st minute. Lindsey Jansen then secured his brace just moments later. Both coaching staffs emptied their benches around the 50-minute mark to refresh their packs.
Dian Venter sparked a spirited fightback for the Cheetahs by scoring a quick second-half brace. H.G. Muller also crossed the line after a powerful rolling maul. The Cheetahs were then awarded a penalty try following a deliberate knock-on, which saw the Bulls reduced to 14 men with Jon Hobson sent to the sin bin.
Despite playing with a numerical disadvantage, the Bulls closed the game out like true champions. Ruben Pienaar scored a late try before Lindsey Jansen completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute to cap off a dominant performance.
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls U20: Tries: Ruben Pienaar, Luan van der Berg, Viaan Mentoor, Melt Viljoen, Pieter van der Merwe (2), Lindsey Jansen (3), Ethan van Dyk, Migael Turner . Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (4).
Toyota Cheetahs U20: Tries: Jan Coetzee, Mokgaotsi Mosiane, Dian Venter (2), HG Muller, Penalty Try. Conversion: Heinz Stockenstrom.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls U20: 1 Aphiwe Shelembe, 2 Ethan Van Dyk, 3 Luan Van Der Berg, 4 Migael Turner, 5 Jacques Swarts, 6 Chinedu Amadi, 7 RJ Barnard, 8 Juliun Cosmo, 9 Melt Viljoen, 10 Viaan Mentoor, 11 Lindsey Jansen, 12 Pieter Van Der Merwe, 13 Leskin Samuels, 14 Ruan Enslin, 15 Ruben Groenewald. Replacements: 16 Jon Hobson, 17 Duwan Potgieter, 18 Bongani Dlamini, 19 Dian Smal, 20 Raphael Ajibade, 21 Jandrian Goosen, 22 Ruben Pienaar, 23 Liyema Nela.
Toyota Cheetahs U20: 1 Werner Vrey, 2 Jan Coetzee, 3 Ruan Smuts, 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 Nkululeko Sithole, 13 Anrich Scheffer, 14 Fortune Sehlabane, 15 Heinz Stockenstrom. Replacements: 16 Dian Venter, 17 Petrus Oberholzer, 18 Ikhona Maxegwana, 19 Oyama Frans, 20 Jason Rip, 21 HG Muller, 22 Hendrik Van Der Westhuizen, 23 Bendre Vermaak.