DHL Western Province U21 started their SA Rugby U21 Cup campaign with a five-try 31-22 win against Cell C Sharks U21 in Durban on Saturday.
Tries from hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela (2), scrumhalf Imaad Khan, No.8 Keke Morabe and centre Suleiman Hartzenberg were enough to claim the spoils in the coastal clash.
The home side opened the scoring, but DHL WP U21 were back on level terms soon afterwards as Vokozela crossed for his first try from a line-out.
Khan was on hand to give the visitors the lead for the first time following a linebreak in midfield and they never looked back.
Vokozela’s second try came from a maul and although the Durban side would score a maul try of their own in response, it was DHL WP U21 who took a 19-10 lead into the half-time break.
Morabe was first to score in the second half off the back of a powerful scrum and the finishing touch came from Hartzenberg to seal what was a comfortable win in the end.
DHL WP U21 host Vodacom Bulls U21 in Paarl next weekend in what should be another tough North-South clash.
The scorers:
For DHL WP U21:
Tries: Vokozela 2, Khan, Morabe, Hartzenberg
Cons: Wolhuter 3
DHL WP U21: 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Paschal Ekeji, 13 Ethan James (captain), 12 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 11 Ebenezer Tshimanga, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Imaad Khan, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 6 Romuald Ntumba, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Vernon Matongo, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 1 Lamla Nunu.
Replacements: 16 Keagan Blanckenberg, 17 Matthew Coenraad, 18 Rhynhardt Rijnsburger, 19 Marco van Rhyn, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Conwill Conradie, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 Ruben Labuschagne.
Pic: Steve Haag