Log leaders and unbeaten Sigma Lions u/20 hosted DHL Western Province in Round 5 of the SARU u/20 Championship yesterday in Johannesburg. Sigma Lions u/20 stormed into a 17-07 lead after a great 1st half, however, DHL Western Province U20 scored three tries in the second half to secure a 24-24 draw.
Jurich Claasens scored two tries he converted himself, added a penalty to score all of the Lions 17 points in the first half. WP flank Jarrod Taylor scored the only try of the first half for DHL Western Province U20, as they went into half-time trailing 17-7.
It was a stunning comeback in the second half from the visitors. The Lions scored the first points of the second half as Quan Horn scored the third try for the home team almost from the kick-off to extend the Lions lead to 24-07.
Replacement hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela scored from a line-out set play and after that, it was the backline who were able to shine as the visiting team finished strong. Jacques Rousseau scored the visitors 3rd try following a powerful scrum and it was some quick hands in the backline which saw wing Rethabile Louw go through for the bonus-point try, which secured the draw.
The scorers:
Sigma Lions u/20: Tries: Jurich Claasens (2), Quan Horn. Conversions: Jurich Claasens (3). Penalty: Jurich Claasens.
DHL Western Province U20: Tries: Jarrod Taylor, Lukhanyo Vokozela, Jaques Rousseau, Rethabile Louw. Conversions: Ethan James, Sacha Mngomezulu.
Sigma Lions u20: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Indiphile Tyeda, 13. Ngia Selengbe, 12. Henco van Wyk, 11. Zeilinga Strydom, 10. Jurich Claasens, 9. Nico Steyn, 8. Sisonke Vumasonke, 7. Izan Esterhuizen, 6. Sasko Ndlovu, 5. Jarrod Cairns, 4. Babalo Makana, 3. Sibusisi Shongwe, 2. Jacque-Lois du Toit, 1. Heiko Pohlmann. Replacements: 16. Allister Williams, 17. O Siyeni, 18. Kabous Bezuidenhout, 19. W Hlope, 20. C van Buuren, 21. S Mokoena, 22. J Jonas, 23. L Matyolweni, 24. P Mulea, 25. R Fourie, 26. B Hansen.
DHL WP U20: 15. Duran Koevort, 14. Ebenezer Tshimanga, 13. Ethan James, 12. Ruben Labuschagne, 11. Rethabile Louw, 10. Sacha Mngomezulu, 9. Bobby Alexander, 8. Armand Maritz, 7. Jarrod Taylor, 6. Romuald Ntumba, 5. Dylan De Leeuw (c), 4. Rhys Fulford, 3. Corne Weilbach, 2. Keagan Blanckenberg, 1. Rhynardt Rijnsburger. Replacements (from): 16. Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17. Lamla Nunu, 18. Vernon Matongo, 19. Connor Evans, 20. Louw Nel, 21. Liam Kloosman, 22. Cade Croy, 23. Jacque Rossouw, 24. Pascal Ekeji, 25. Taarique Kruger, 26. Christian Lamprecht.