Drama galore in opening round of u-21 championship

Toyota Free State recorded a dramatic 31-30 victory in the final play of their match over the Xerox Lions at Emirates Airline Park on October 4 to start their SA Rugby u-21 championship on a high, whilst defending champions, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, used their pack of forwards to subdue DHL Western Province in a 36-25 win, scoring six tries in the process. 

The opening round in Johannesburg provided 17 tries in the two matches, but it was the driving mauls in both encounters that dominated proceedings. 

The Free Staters scored three of their tries, including the match winner, from a maul, while the Vodacom Blue Bulls also used their drives to great effect as they outplayed their Cape Town counterparts. 

The Cell C Sharks, who had a bye on October 5, take on the Xerox Lions in round two on Thursday, while in the early match-up, the Vodacom Blue Bulls will take on Toyota Free State, with DHL Western Province having a break. Both matches are scheduled to be streamed live. 

Second round fixtures for October 8:

Vodacom Blue Bulls v Toyota Free State
Kick-off: 12 noon
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Xerox Lions v Cell C Sharks
Kick-off: 3.30pm
Referee: Morne Ferreira
Bye: DHL Western Province