DHL Western Province U20 started their campaign with a 20-17 win against Cell C Sharks U20 in Durban on Saturday.
Two tries in the first half and an impressive goal-kicking display from flyhalf Sacha Mngomezulu saw the visitors pick up an important away win to start the season.
The home side struck first with an early try and DHL Western Province U20 were struck a further blow as wing Paschal Ekeji was forced to leave the field after a knock to the head.
However, the visitors regrouped well and scored 17 unanswered points through two converted tries and a penalty in between.
Scrumhalf Imad Khan was first to score as he dummied his way through a gap.
That was converted by Mngomezulu, who followed up with another three points before the forwards earned the second try. Hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela went over from a driving maul in the corner, with Mngomezulu adding the extras from out wide.
Cell C Sharks U20 had the final say in the first half with a penalty of their own, but it was DHL Western Province U20 that took a 17-10 advantage into the break.
The second half was a hard-fought affair, with both teams battling to break down the respective defence’s.
The deadlock was finally broken less than 10 minutes from the end, when Mngomezulu slotted a drop-goal to take the lead out to 10 points.
The Sharks scored a late try, but it was not enough as DHL WP U20 held out for a good win.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province u/20: Tries: Imad Khan, Lukhanyo Vokozela. Consversions: Sacha Mngomezulu (2). Penalty: Sascha Mngomezulu. Drop goal: Sacha Mngomezulu.
Cell C Sharks u/20: Tries: Andrew Beyrooti, Bradley Davids. Conversions: Bradley Davids, Jean Smith. Penalty. Jean Smith.
Teams:
Cell C Sharks u/20: 1. Braam Reyneke, 2. Bryce Calvert, 3. Nash Mhere, 4. Andrew Beyrooti, 5. Corne Rahl, 6. Damon Royle, 7. Renzo du Plessis, 8. Siya Ningiza, 9. Bradley Davids, 10. Jean Smith, 11. Siviwe Zondani, 12. Brandon Wilkie, 13. Lloyd Koster, 14. Curwin Gertse, 15. Matthew Jacobs. Replacements: 16. Jaques Marais, 17. Phatu Ganyane, 18. Zocchi Zocchi-Dommann, 19. Enos Ndiao, 20. Nick Hatton, 21. Josh Miller, 22. Connor de Bruyn, 23. Hakeem Kunene, 24. Jordan Mcloughlin, 25. Luca Ribbens, 26. Banie Britz.
DHL Western Province U20: 15 Bruce Campbell, 14 Luke Burger, 13 Ethan James, 12 Hofmeyr Retief, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Armand Maritz (captain), 7 Paul de Villiers, 6 Hendrik Sieberhagen, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Oliver Kurz, 3 Cornelius Weilbach, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 1 Lamla Nunu. Replacements: 16 Francois Breytenbach, 17 Yannick Marais, 18 Nande Moses, 19 Daniel Louw, 20 Jan-Daniel Cilliers, 21 FC Fourie, 22 Melbirt van der Spuy, 23 Masande Mtshali.