The Vodacom Bulls retained the SARU u/19 Cup title when they scored a comprehensive 35-7 victory over the Cell C Sharks in Durban on Saturday, finishing the short competition unbeaten at the top of the log.
This victory ended another brilliant year for the Vodacom Bulls' juniors. They won the u/20 crown against DHL Western Province in Pretoria with a 29-10 win, whereafter they won the u/21 title against the reigning champions, the Lions at Loftus Versfeld with a 41-26 win.
Willem Strauss, President of the Blue Bulls Rugby Company said he is excited with the performance of the juniors but was quick to add the Tuks Young Guns also won the Varsity Cup Youg Guns competition in 2022.
There was no final played in the SARU u/19 competition, with the team on top of the competition log crowned as champions, therefore, all eyes were on the tournament decider in Durban though, where the Vodacom Bulls' strong start to the match proved to be too much for their hoss.
Both sides scored a try apiece in the second half, and although they played much better after the break, the Cell C Sharks couldn’t prevent the visitors from registering a third successive win in the final round of fixtures.
As a result of their bonus-point triumph, the Vodacom Bulls finished the season unbeaten at the top of the standings, followed by the Cell C Sharks with two wins from their three matches, DHL WP with one victory, and the Toyota Cheetahs, who lost all three their matches.
In Durban, the two top sides were only separated by points' difference on the log before kick-off. However, the Vodacom Bulls' five tries - through Juann Else (hooker), Corne Beets (lock), who dotted down twice, Neels Volschenk (flank) and Gcino Mdletshe (replacement back) - secured a commanding victory.
Junior Springbok flyhalf Compion von Ludwig succeeded with all five conversions to crown a deserving win for the side from Pretoria.
Right-wing Banie Britz got the Cell C Sharks' only try while fly half Christiaan Els was on target with the conversion.
