The Vodacom Bulls XV produced a stirring second-half comeback to beat the Lions XV 33-32 in a thrilling final at Ellis Park on Friday and lift the inaugural SA Rugby U23 Cup title.
Trailing by nine points at halftime, the young Bulls turned the match on its head with three tries after the break to snatch victory and hand the Lions their first defeat of the competition.
The hosts dominated the opening 40 minutes and were rewarded in the 13th minute when Marco Ferreira crossed for the first try, with Matt Coetzee adding the extras.
The Lions struck again just before the half-hour mark as Jason Hugo finished off a patient attack to extend the lead to 14-0.
The Bulls responded with two quick tries to swing the momentum. Henry Immelman darted over from a quick tap before Ruan Enslin finished in the corner to cut the deficit to two points.
But the Lions had the final say before the break when Likhona Finca beat several defenders to score and give the home side a deserved 21-12 halftime advantage.
Coetzee added a penalty early in the second half to stretch the lead to 24-12, but that proved to be the Bulls’ wake-up call.
Replacement prop Alulutho Tsakweni sparked the comeback with a close-range try, before fellow heavy Khutha Mchunu and reserve scrumhalf Brooklyn Newman also crossed.
Keagan Johannes converted all three tries as the Bulls surged into a 33-27 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
The drama was far from over.
Two late yellow cards reduced the Bulls to 13 men, and the Lions took full advantage as Gilermo Mentoe scored in the corner after sustained pressure.
Coetzee, who had been flawless from the tee, pushed the conversion wide, allowing the Bulls to cling on for a famous one-point win.
Lions XV – Tries: Marco Ferreira, Jason Hugo, Likhona Finca, Gilermo Mentoe. Conversions: Matt Coetzee (3). Penalties: Coetzee (2).
Bulls XV – Tries: Henry Immelman, Ruan Enslin, Alulutho Tsakweni, Khutha Mchunu, Brooklyn Newman. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (4).
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
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