The Vodacom Bulls Under-21 side kicked off their SA Rugby Under-21 Cup campaign on a high when they claimed a 54-29 victory over the Leopards Under-21.
Going into the season-opening match, the side from Tshwane was keen to get the campaign off to a positive start as they aim to defend the domestic title and claim their third trophy in the inter-provincial competition.
Vodacom Bulls U21 head coach, Hayden Groepes, had selected a strong side for the encounter, and was immediately rewarded when his charges showed their intentions with a dominant first half performance which saw them go into the half-time break on the Loftus B-field with a 26-15 lead.
The home side continued their rampage in the second half ending the match having scored a total of eight tries, including a penalty try. It was the Vodacom Bulls’ 2021/22 Junior Player of the Year, hooker, Tiaan Lange, who scored a hat-trick of tries while centre Tharquinn Manuel scored twice. Merwe Olivier and Marco de Witt also added their names to the scorers’ sheet.
The win for the Vodacom Bulls U21 side proved to be a great confidence-booster for the side ahead of their next fixture – a visit to Cape Town where they will face the DHL Western Province U21 team on Saturday.
SCORERS:
Vodacom Bulls U21 (26) 54
TRIES: Tiaan Lange (3), Merwe Olivier, Marco de Witt, Tharquinn Manuel (2), Penalty Try
CONVERSIONS: Tiaan Fourie (5), Compion von Ludwig, Penalty Try
Leopards U21 (15) 29
