The Vodacom Bulls XV produced a stirring second-half comeback to beat the Lions XV in a thrilling SA Rugby U23 Cup final at Ellis Park on Friday.
Trailing by nine points at half-time, the young Bulls turned the match on its head with three tries after the break to snatch a 33-32 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 lock Marco Ferreira crossed for the first try, with flyhalf Matt Coetzee adding the extras.
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The Lions struck again just before the half-hour mark as winger 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. Fullback Henry Immelman darted over from a quick tap before winger Ruan Enslin finished in the corner to cut the deficit to two points.
But the Lions had the final say before the break when centre Likhona Finca beat several defenders to score and give the home side a deserved 21-12 half-time advantage.
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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.
Flyhalf 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 fullback 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 one-point win.
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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
