The Lions u/21 expected a torrid time in Potchefstroom when they played the Leopards u/21 in Round 2 of the SARU u/21 Cup competition and they had to hang on to survive a late charge from the host to win 27-25.
The Lions u/21 opened up a 20-08 lead at the halftime break but saw their hosts score two tries in the second half to narrow the gap to just two points at the end of the match. The Leopards could claim if their kickers were more accurate they could have won as they outscored their visitors with four tries to two.
Scorers:
Leopards: Tries: Jakkie Eloff, Marvelous Mashimbye, Naiden Jaarts, Luan van der Walt. Conversion: Sanele Zungu. Penalty: JJ van der Walt.
Lions u/21: Tries: Izan Esterhuizen, Jarrod Cairns, Zeilinga Strydom. Conversions: Jurich Claassens (2), Setshaba Mokoena. Penalties: Jurich Claassens (2).
Teams:
Leopards u/21: 15. Luan van der Walt, 14. Keano Windvogel, 13. Theuns Pretorius (c), 12. Isrome Phatudi, 11. Naiden Jaarts, 10. JJ Van der Walt, 9. Abre Minnie, 8. Marvellos Mashimbye, 7. Jakkie Eloff, 6. Chyle van Zyl, 5. Casper Steenkamp, 4. Stephan Krugel, 3. Henri van der Westhuizen, 2. Vernon Paulo (c), 1. Matome Manyama. Replacements: 16. Brandon Beukes, 17. Stephan van Graan, 18. Ntobeko Shezi, 19. Brandon Borcher, 20. Hennie du Randt, 21. Sanele Zungu, 22. Christian Vlok, 23. Elzandro Fredericks.
Lions u/21: 15. Setshaba Mokoena, 14. Boldwin Hansen, 13. Ngia Selengbe, 12. Tyler Bocks (c), 11. Zeilinga Strydom, 10. Jurich Claasens, 9. Nico Steyn, 8. Jarod Cairns, 7. Izan Esterhuizen, 6. Renzo Du Plessis, 5. Connor Van Buuren, 4. Ruan Delport, 3. Kabous Bezuidenhout, 2. Jacques-lois du Toit, 1. Heiko Pohlmann. Replacements: 16. Ricardo Fourie, 17. Okuhle Siyeni, 18. Sivu Mabece, 19. Babalo Makana, 20. Tiaan Wessels, 21. Siyemukela Ndlovu, 22. Indiphile Tyeda, 23. Josh Jonas.
