DHL Western Province U20 scored nine tries on their way to a comfortable 64-14 win against Toyota Free State U20 in Bloemfontein on Friday, to secure a home semifinal.
The dominant performance at the Toyota Stadium means that DHL Western Province U20 finish the league phase of the season in second place, with four wins and two draws to their name. They will host the third-placed Vodacom Bulls U20 in their semifinal.
DHL Western Province U20 opened the scoring through outside centre Ethan James, who rounded off an attacking movement from a line-out in the 22.
The home side levelled the scores, but DHL Western Province U20 took control as flyhalf Sacha Mngomezulu kicked a penalty which was followed by a try from No.8 Jarrod Taylor, to take their lead out to 17-7.
There was enough time for a third try before half-time as hooker Keagan Blanckenberg scored from a maul to give his team a 24-7 advantage at the break.
The bonus point was secured early in the second half, with inside centre Ruben Labuschagne crossing for the fourth try.
The visitors were down to 14 men shortly afterwards, with Mngomezulu shown a yellow card.
The home side took advantage as they scored their second try from a quick tap, which made it 31-14 heading into the last half-hour.
However, DHL Western Province U20 responded with a try from replacement wing Ebenezer Tshimanga, which came as the result of some good handling skills in the backline.
They followed that up with two more tries, from replacements Conwill Conradie and Isaiah Wharton, who got a late double, wrapped up a dominant performance in the end.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province u/20: Tries: Ethan James, Jarrod Taylor, Keagan Blanckenberg, Christian Labuschagne, Ebenezer Tshimanga (2), Conwill Conradie, Isaiah Wharton (2). Conversions: Sacha Mngomezulu (8). Penalty: Sacha Mngomezulu
Toyota Free State u/20: Tries: Lohan Potgieter, Gideon van Wyk. Conversions: Wikus Basson (2).
Toyota Free State u/20: 15. Juandre Nel, 14. Revano Muller, 13. Liyema Gaba, 12. Jooste Nel, 11. Jay-Dee Jooste, 10. Wikus Basson, 9. Hlumelo Klaas, 8. Gideon van Wyk, 7. Lohan Potgieter (c), 6. Liyema Mgwigwi, 5. Zander du Toit, 4. Reinier Viljoen 3. Zukisa Sali 2. Marnus Nel, 1. Bernard Venter. Replacements: 16. Thapelo Moshodi, 17. Frank Nchabeng, 18. Dumisani Malindi, 19. Kevin Strydom, 20. Francois Bester, 21. Divan Roelofse, 22. Chad Josias, 23. Bani Holtzhausen, 24. Leyton Valentine, 25. Johannes Odendal, 26. Llewellyn Stadler.
DHL Western Province u/20: 15 Jacques Rossouw, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Ethan James, 12 Ruben Labuschagne, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Jarrod Taylor, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Romuald Ntumba, 5 Dylan De Leeuw (captain), 4 Connor Evans, 3 Corne Weilbach, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Rhynardt Rijnsburger. Replacements (from): 16 Christian Lamprecht, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Bryan le Roux, 19 Marco van Rhyn, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Conwill Conradie, 22 Duran Koevort, 23 Meyr Retief, 24 Tiaan Pretorius, 25 Ebenezer Tshimanga, 26 Isaiah Wharton.