EP crowned SA Rugby U21 Shield champions after epic comeback

Eastern Province produced a stellar display of resilience at Otto du Plessis High School in Gqeberha on Saturday, staging a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Griquas 36-24 and claim the 2026 SA Rugby U21 Shield title.

The visitors controlled the opening stanza, racing into a deserved 24-17 half-time lead thanks to sharp execution and clinical finishing. Luke Davids, Grante Savage, Aiden Holtzhausen each scored a converted try, while kicker Blane Marais also slotted a penalty to give them a seven-point advantage at the break.

Griquas capitalized on early pressure, but EP kept themselves within striking distance before the break with scores from Lu-Craine Muggels, Ruwaan Zealand and Sean van Zijl.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second half. Displaying immense character, the hosts improved their defence and overwhelmed the opposition with relentless phase-play, scoring three more tries after the break to turn the seven-point deficit into a comprehensive 12-point victory to seal a memorable triumph.

In a physical encounter, referee Lulutho Matomela issued yellow cards to Griquas players Dwayne Lubbe and Mvelo Ndwalane, as well as Eastern Province's Cameron Doyle.

Score

Eastern Province 36 (17) – Tries: Ruwaan Zealand (2), Sean van Zijl (2), Lu-Craine Muggels, Owen Breda. Conversions: Lyle Meintjies (3).

Griquas 24 (24) – Tries: Luke Davids, Grante Savage, Aiden Holtzhausen. Conversions: Blane Marais (3). Penalty: Marais.

Meanwhile, three of the four semi-final places in the SA Rugby Under-20 Cup were effectively secured after Saturday's action, with the Vodacom Bulls, Fidelity ADT Lions and DHL Stormers Bolts all strengthening their positions in the top three.

The Bulls consolidated their position at the top of the log with their eighth win of the season when they outplayed the Toyota Cheetahs 63-34 at Loftus in Pretoria.

In Durban, second-placed Lions edged their hosts, the Hollywoodbets Sharks Gen, by 22-19 in a pulsating match, while in an early evening fixture staged in Cape Town, the Bolts overpowered the Leopards 54-22.

The battle for the final play-off berth now goes down to the last round of league fixtures this coming weekend, where the fourth-placed Sharks and fifth-placed Cheetahs will fight it out for a semi-final spot in their respective tenth-round fixtures, both on the road.

The current standings show the Bulls (37 points) leading the competition by three points ahead of the Lions (34), Stormers Bolts (29), Sharks GEN (16), Cheetahs (14) and Leopards (8).

In the last round of league matches, the Lions host the Bulls on Friday in Johannesburg (1pm) in a shootout for first spot, while Saturday's programme sees the Leopards take on the Sharks GEN in Potchefstroom (12pm), and the Stormers Bolts face the Cheetahs in Cape Town (12pm).

In the penultimate round of action, the Bulls underlined their title ambitions with an entertaining 11-try victory over the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

After conceding an early try to Anrich Scheffer, the Bulls responded through Junior Bok front ranker Luan van der Berg and Migael Turner before SA U20 speedster Lindsey Jansen added the first of his hat-trick. A powerful finish to the opening half gave the hosts a commanding 31-12 lead at the break.

The Bulls maintained their momentum after halftime, with Junior Bok centre Pieter van der Merwe scoring twice, Jansen completing his treble, and Viaan Mentoor and Ruben Pienaar also crossing. The Cheetahs continued to attack and were rewarded with second-half tries from Dian Venter (2) and HG Muller, while also earning a penalty try.

The only card of the match went to Bulls replacement hooker Jon Hobson in the 71st minute.

The Lions U20s edged the Sharks GEN in a tense Durban encounter to remain in second place on the standings.

The hosts struck first through Zirk Meyer, but the Highvelders responded immediately. Tries by Adriano Jackson, Zenkosi Mthiyane and Elgernon Meyer helped the visitors establish a 17-7 halftime advantage.

The Sharks fought back strongly after the break, with Luann Olivier's try and conversion narrowed the deficit before Lions replacement hooker Thapelo Mphela scored a crucial late try. Cameron Veenstra crossed in the final minutes to set up a nervy finish, but the visitors held on for a valuable three-point win.

The Stormers Bolts produced a dominant second-half display to overwhelm the Leopards U20 in Cape Town and confirm their place among the competition frontrunners.

The Leopards stunned the home side early and led 17-14 at halftime thanks to tries by Christoff Nel, Zuan Rautenbach and Eagan Roux. The Bolts stayed in touch through Junior Bok scrumhalf Jayden Brits and Almero Keizer.

After the break, however, the hosts took control. Tries by Dawid Badenhorst, Gert Kemp, Lukho Mtwana, RJ Davids and a brace by Quintin Potgieter turned a close contest into a runaway victory. Brits was outstanding off the tee, slotting seven conversions to finish with a personal tally of 19 points.

Three Stormers received yellow cards during the match – Dominic Sesink-Clee, Lukho Mtwana and Dylan Miller.

Scores

Vodacom Bulls U20 63 (31), Toyota Cheetahs U20 34 (12)

Bulls – Tries: Lindsey Jansen (3), Pieter van der Merwe (2), Luan van der Berg, Migael Turner, Melt Viljoen, Ethan van Dyk, Viaan Mentoor, Ruben Pienaar. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (4).

Cheetahs – Tries: Anrich Scheffer, Jan Coetzee, Dian Venter (2), HG Muller, Penalty Try. Conversion: Heinz Stockenstrom.

Hollywoodbets Sharks GEN 19 (7), Fidelity ADT Lions U20 22 (17)

Sharks – Tries: Zirk Meyer, Luann Olivier, Cameron Veenstra. Conversions: Iwan Jordaan, Stefan Moolman.

Lions – Tries: Adriano Jackson, Zenkosi Mthiyane, Elgernon Meyer, Thapelo Mphela. Conversion: Rekkie Gerber.

DHL Stormers Bolts 54 (14), Leopards U20 22 (17)

Stormers – Tries: Jayden Brits, Almero Keizer, Dawid Badenhorst, Gert Kemp, Lukho Mtwana, RJ Davids, Quintin Potgieter (2). Conversions: Brits (7).

Leopards – Tries: Christoff Nel, Zuan Rautenbach, Eagan Roux, Zacary Meyer. Conversion: Marno Greeff.