Wing Edwill van der Merwe socred a hat-trick as DHL Western Province U21 came from behind to claim a thrilling 37-36 semifinal victory against Xerox Golden Lions U21 at Emirates Airline Park.

It took a touchline conversion from flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel in the last minute to clinch a dramatic victory and a place in the final next week.

Swanepoel scored 22 points in total, as he scored the opening try and kicked all four conversions and three penalties.

Tries from Swanepoel and Van der Merwe saw DHL Western Province U21 take a 20-12 lead into the half-time break, but the hosts scored early in the second half to reduce the gap to just one point.

Xerox Golden Lions U21 then scored a further two unanswered tries to give them a 36-23 advantage heading into the final stages.

However, DHL Western Province U21 refused to give in and two late tries from Van der Merwe, which were both converted by Swanepoel, were enough to seal the win.

The scorers:

For DHL WP U21:
Tries: Swanepoel, Van der Merwe 3
Cons: Swanepoel 4
Pens: Swanepoel 3

DHL Western Province U21: 15 Aidynn Cupido, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 David Brits, 12 Michaine Fick, 11 Edwill van Der Merwe, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Daniel Maree, 5 Eddie Zandberg, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Nico Peyper, 1 Wikus Groenewald.
Replacements: 16 Percy Mngadi, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Ruben de Villiers, 19 Nama Xaba, 20 Paul de Wet, 21 Jordan Chait, 22 Cornel Smit.