DHL Western Province u/21 were crowned SA Rugby U21 Cup champions at City Park, picking up a 32-22 win against Fidelity ADT Lions U21 to make it a perfect, unbeaten season.
With seven wins from seven games this season, DHL WP u/21 were dominant throughout and capped it with another top performance in the final.
The teams traded early penalties before centre Damian Markus dummied his way over for the opening try.
The home side were reduced to 13 men shortly afterwards, with flank Louw Nel and captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu both shown yellow cards.
Fidelity ADT Lions u/21 took advantage with two quick tries to take the lead at 15-10, but DHL WP u/21 responded with two of their own before half-time.
Scrumhalf Imad Khan sniped over from close range before fullback Luke Burger ghosted his way through the defence for a superb individual effort.
That saw them take a 24-15 advantage into the break and they would extend that by five more points early in the second half, with flank Paul de Villiers scoring from a maul.
Fidelity ADT Lions u/21 scored one more try from a maul, but it was DHL WP u/21 who had the final say as Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked a penalty into the win to seal the win.
The scorers:
DHL Western Province u/21: Tries: Damian Markus, Imad Khan, Luke Burger, Paul De Villiers. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Imad Khan. Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2)
Fidelity ADT Lions u/21: Tries: Renzo Du Plessis, Nico Steyn, Keagan Smith. Conversions: Sam Francis (2). Penalties: Sam Francis.
Teams:
DHL Western Province u/21: 1 Vernon Matongo, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 3 Corne Weilbach, 4 Reynhardt Crous, 5 Connor Evans, 6 Paul De Villiers, 7 Louw Nel, 8 Armand Maritz, 9 Imad Khan, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 11 Josh Boulle, 12 Damian Markus, 13 Meyr Retief, 14 Duran Rayn Koevort, 15 Luke Burger. Replacements: 16 Keagan Blanckenberg, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Edrich Viljoen, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Eric Basson, 22 Asad Moos, 23 Kian Davis.
Fidelity ADT Lions u/21: 1 Heiko Pohlmann, 2 Ricardo Fourie, 3 J.k Okonkwo, 4 Henk Gouws, 5 Ruan Delport, 6 Renzo Du Plessis, 7 Tiaan Wessels, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 9 Nico Steyn, 10 Sam Francis, 11 Keagan Smith, 12 Bronson Mills, 13 Kelly Mpeku, 14 Latica Nela, 15 Setshaba Mokoena. Replacements: 16 Marno Grobbelaar, 17 S J Kotze, 18 Rf Schoeman, 19 Luca Ribbens, 20 Thabang Mphafi, 21 Sibabalwe Mahashe, 22 Layton Horn, 23 Asemahle Nongogo.