The DHL Western Province Under-21s bounced back from their opening-round loss to the Sharks two weeks ago with an excellent 44-13, bonus point win over the EP Kings Under-21s in Port Elizabeth.
The DHL WP Under-21s, under the coaching of Robbie Fleck this season, led by 13-8 at half-time and secured the four-try bonus point with 17 minutes left on the clock in cold and icy conditions at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Lock Johannes Momsen crashed over in the 17th minute of the match, having snapped up a loose ball on the EP line, before outside centre Ryan Oosthuizen crossed a few minutes later.
Flyhalf Brandon Thomson kicked one penalty goal to make it 13-8 at the break, before speedster Leolin Zas and replacement forward Christo van Niekerk went over in the second half, the visitors also being rewarded with a well-deserved penalty try from a powerful maul.
Kings winger Somila Jho crossed for a late try to give his team some consolation, but DHL WP Under-21 fullback Jason Worral touched down his team’s sixth and final try shortly before the final whistle to put the icing on the cake for captain Rikus Bothma and his charges.
The DHL WP Under-21s will take on the table-topping Lions U21s in Cape Town next weekend.
The scorers:
For the EP Kings Under-21s:
Tries: Jaer, Jho
Con: Bolze
Pen: Bolze
For the DHL Western Province Under-21s:
Tries: Momsen, Oosthuizen, Zas, Van der Merwe, Penalty try, Worral
Cons: Thomson 4
Pens: Thomson 2
The teams:
EP Kings Under-21: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Lindelwe Zungu, 13 Samuel Bedlow, 12 Riaan Esterhuizen, 11 Ace Jho, 10 Simon Bolze, 9 Franswa Ueckermann, 8 Kevin Kaba (captain), 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Brandon Brown, 5 Jan Uys, 4 Gerrit Huisamen, 3 James Beyl, 2 Jean-Pierre Jamieson, 1 David Murray.
Replacements: 16 Cameron van Heerden, 17 Tembelihle Yase, 18 Jayson Reinecke, 19 Andrew Hughes, 20 Luvo Claassen, 21 Luan Nieuwoudt, 22 Mihlali Nchukana.
DHL Western Province Under-21: 15 Jason Worral, 14 Khanyo Ngcukana, 13 Ryan Oosthuizen, 12 Jarryd Sage, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Justin Phillips (vice-captain), 8 Rikus Bothma (captain), 7 Luke van der Smit, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 David Ribbans, 4 Johannes Momsen, 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Martin Wipplinger, 1 Wesley Adonis.
Replacements: 16 Daniel du Plessis, 17 Liam Hendricks, 18 Cornelius van Niekerk, 19 Christo van der Merwe, 20 Jason Marcus, 21 Dan du Plessis, 22 Sibahle Maxwane.
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe