John Dobson’s DHL Western Province Under-21 team kept up their unbeaten status in the 2014 Absa Provincial Under-21 tournament, with a deserved 28-21 win over the Blue Bulls U21s at DHL Newlands.
The hosts scored three tries to two, with captain and flank Eital Bredenkamp weighing in with two tries to take his try-tally to an incredible nine for the season after just five games.
Flyhalf Robert du Preez, fresh from his senior Absa Currie Cup debut last weekend, scored his team’s third try and he also added two conversions and three penalties for a points haul of 18.
The DHL WP U21s led 16-3 at half-time and 28-11 going into the final ten minutes, before the Bulls finished strongly with a converted try and a late penalty to steal a bonus point for finishing within seven points.
Province will host the Lions at DHL Newlands next Saturday, as the two remaining unbeaten teams go head to head for the right to finish the first half of the season in first position.
Coach Dobson told www.wprugby.com afterwards: “There were good points and bad points for us and I feel we could perhaps have got the four-try bonus point in the end.
“But, a win’s a win – especially over a quality team like the Blue Bulls, so I am pleased with the victory.”
The scorers:
For DHL Western Province Under-21:
Tries: Bredenkamp 2, Du Preez
Cons: Du Preez 2
Pens: Du Preez 3
For Blue Bulls Under-21:
Tries: Steenkamp, Kriel
Cons: Marais
Pens: Stander 2, Marais
The teams:
DHL Western Province Under-21: 15 Justin Geduld, 14 Lihleli Xoli, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Kyle Lombard, 11 JP Lewis, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jean Nel, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Eital Bredenkamp (captain), 5 Jan Uys, 4 Sebastian Ferreira, 3 John Meyer, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Michael Kennedy, 17 Deacon Chowles, 18 Jurie van Vuuren, 19 Carel du Preez, 20 Tapiwa Tsomondo, 21 SP Ferreira, 22 Janco Gunter.
Vodacom Blue Bulls Under-21: 15 Jacques Rossouw, 14 Marquit September, 13 Dan Kriel, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 Carlo Engelbrecht, 8 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Irne Herbst, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Jan Enslin, 1 Justin Forwood.
Replacements: 16 Arno van Wyk, 17 Neethling Fouche, 18 Dennis Visser, 19 Clyde Davids, 20 JP Smith, 21 Kobus Marais, 22 Duncan Matthews.
Referee: Quinton Immelman
