The table-topping DHL Western Province Under-21s finished their Absa Provincial Under-21 league season in fine form with a convincing 45-31 win over the EP Kings’ U21s at DHL Newlands on Friday.
The DHL WP Under-21s, under the coaching of Robbie Fleck, had already been assured of a top of the log finish before today’s clash but showed their form and class to register their 10th win from 12 league fixtures.
Province’s Under-21s, who also registered an impressive nine four-try bonus from their 12 regular-season matches, will host the Blue Bulls in next weekend’s semifinal at Cape Town’s City Park.
Today, meanwhile, the DHL Western Province U21s ran in seven tries (including a penalty try), with outside centre EW Viljoen and loose forward Christo van der Merwe both grabbing try doubles.
Left-wing Marcus Kleinbooi and lock JD Schickerling (in his first start of 2015 since coming back from neck surgery) scored the other tries for the DHL WP U21s who led by 31-12 at half-time.
The scorers:
DHL Western Province Under-21:
Tries: Kleinbooi, Viljoen 2, Schickerling, Van der Merwe 2, Penalty Try
Cons: Thomson 5
For Eastern Province Kings Under-21:
Tries: Velleman 2, Swarts, Ueckermann 2
Cons: Van Wyk 3
The teams:
DHL Western Province Under-21: 15 Ryno Eksteen (captain), 14 Khanyo Ngcukana, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Jarryd Sage, 11 Marcus Kleinbooi, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Christo van der Merwe, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Kobus van Dyk, 3 Liam Hendricks, 2 Martin Wipplinger, 1 Wesley Adonis.
Replacements: 16 Hanno Snyman, 17 Kyle Whyte, 18 Johannes Momsen, 19 Luke van der Smit, 20 SP Ferreira, 21 Ernst Stapelberg, 22 Jason Worrall.
Eastern Province Kings Under-21: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Khaya Malotana, 13 Somila Jho, 12 Leighton van Wyk, 11 Ivan-John du Preez, 10 Warren Swarts, 9 Franswa Ueckermann, 8 Kevin Kaba (captain), 7 Brandon Brown, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 Tyler Paul, 4 Wynand Grassman, 3 Stephan Ebersohn, 2 JP Jamieson, 1 David Murray.
Replacements: 16 Arno Lotter, 17 James Beyl, 18 Justin Hollis, 19 Jason Reinecke, 20 Luvo Claasen, 21 Anelisa Mteto, 22 Lindelwe Zungu.
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
