The DHL Stormers U20 Bolts and Fidelity ADT Golden Lions U20 played to a 28-28 draw in their SA Rugby Under-20 match.
Following the result, the Lions remain second on the tournament log with 18 points, while the Stormers occupy third place with 14 points.
The Stormers opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Jordan Jooste scored a try, which Dawid Badenhorst converted for a 7-0 lead.
The Lions responded in the 13th minute with a try from Meyer Opperman, converted by Jeandre Uithaler to level the score at 7-7.
The Stormers regained the lead in the 30th minute when Quintin Potgieter scored. Badenhorst added the conversion to make it 14-7.
Late in the first half, the Lions faced disciplinary issues, losing both Opperman and Risima Khosa to yellow cards in the 34th and 35th minutes.
The Stormers utilised the numerical advantage, allowing Potgieter to score his second try in the 39th minute. Badenhorst converted to give the Stormers a 21-7 lead at halftime.
The Lions started the second half strongly despite being down to 13 players. Adriano Jackson scored a try in the 41st minute, converted by Uithaler to reduce the deficit to 21-14.
Both yellow-carded players returned to the field in the 44th minute, and both teams began making tactical substitutions.
The Lions equalised in the 52nd minute when Thapelo Mphela scored a try, with Uithaler adding the conversion to make it 21-21.
In the 66th minute, Lian Terblanche scored a try for the Lions, and Uithaler converted to put the visitors ahead 28-21.
The Stormers reacted immediately, with Dominic Sesink Clee scoring a try in the 67th minute. Badenhorst kicked the conversion to level the score at 28-28.
Both teams made multiple tactical changes in the final ten minutes of the match to refresh their lineups.
Neither team managed to score again before the referee blew the final whistle, leaving the match tied at 28-28.
Scorers:
DHL Stormers Bolts: Tries: Jordan Jooste, Quintin Potgieter (2), Dominic Sesink Clee. Conversions: Dawid Badenhorst (4).
Fidelity ADT Lions U20: Tries: Thapelo Mphela, Meyer Opperman, Lian Terblanche, Adriano Jackson. Conversions: Jeandre Uithaler (4).
Teams:
DHL Stormers Bolts: 1 Jordan Jooste, 2 Xabiso Mkiva, 3 Zak Hickman, 4 Alex Smith, 5 Dominic Sesink Clee, 6 Aluta Wesi, 7 Aden Da Costa, 8 Quintin Potgieter, 9 Jayden Brits, 10 Dawid Badenhorst, 11 Jordan Steenkamp, 12 Samuel Badenhorst, 13 RJ Davids, 14 Jack Benade, 15 Meyer Prinsloo. Replacements: 16 Ismaeel Conrad, 17 Unaye Mndau, 18 Lukho Mtwana, 19 Ethan Combrink, 20 Wihan Kotze, 21 Tyrone Gombe, 22 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 23 Luca Potgieter.
Fidelity ADT Lions: 1 David Hayidakis, 2 Thapelo Mphela, 3 Meyer Opperman, 4 Lian Terblanche, 5 James Schnetler, 6 Marko Kok, 7 Jaythen Orange, 8 Risima Khosa, 9 Elgernon Meyer, 10 Jeandre Uithaler, 11 Zenkosi Mthiyane, 12 Mcmillen Mongwana, 13 Likhona Kepe. 14 Adriano Jackson, 15 Alzeadon Felix. Replacements: 16 Keenan Myners, 17 Andre Poulton, 18 Miguel Smith, 19 Thinus Oosthuizen, 20 Jamaal Feldman, 21 Sherwin Buys, 22 Toriq Schambreel, 23 Luke Kent.