DHL Western Province U19 scored four tries, but went down 32-24 against Vodacom Blue Bulls U19 in the SA Rugby U19 Championship Final at City Park on Saturday.
Both teams scored four tries in an entertaining final, but it was the Pretoria side who emerged victorious at the end.
The visitors made an impressive start and two early tries saw them lead for most of the first half, but it was the home side who took a 17-14 advantage into the half-time break.
Following the early tries from the opposition, DHL Western Province U19 scored an unanswered 17 points in the first half.
The first try was from prop Duan Bredenkamp, who crashed over to finish a period of dominance in the 22. They followed that up by working the ball wide to left wing Juanre de Klerk who scored in the corner.
Flank Matt Cordy picked up a loose ball to storm over on the stroke of half-time, with flyhalf Juan Mostert adding the conversion.
The visitors went back in front early in the second half with a try from lock Werner Gouws and a penalty from flyhalf Lionel April which put them 22-17 up heading into the last 20 minutes.
The seesaw battle continued as DHL WP U19 centre Christie Grobbelaar crossed for the fourth try, which put his side back in front with a 24-22 lead with 15 minutes left.
The visitors took the lead back shortly afterwards as wing Kabelo Mokoena finished an impressive counter-attack and a penalty from replacement Clyde Lewis sealed the win for them.
The scorers:
For DHL WP U19:
Tries: Bredenkamp, De Klerk, Cordy, Grobbelaar
Cons: Mostert 2
For Vodacom Blue Bulls U19:
Tries: Beukes, Burger, Gouws, Mokoena
Cons: April 3
Pens: April, Lewis
DHL WP U19: 15 Raven Smith, 14 Ryan van Ster, 13 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 12 Christie Grobbelaar, 11 Juanre de Klerk, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 William Rose, 8 Hannes Gous, 7 De Wet Marais, 6 Matt Cordy, 5 Joshua Hermanus, 4 Thys Kitshoff, 3 Dandre Degenaar, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Luthando Woji.
Replacements: 16 Jason Alexander, 17 Storm Hanekom, 18 Duan Bredenkamp, 19 Ruan de Beer, 20 Dylan de Leeuw, 21 JJ Muller, 22 Mihlali Mgolodela , 23 Tyrone Maritz, 24 Luciano Elias, 25 Feghon Snyders, 26 Shane-Cole Williams, 27 Thoubaan Gabriels, 28 Jacques Odendaal.