The Sharks claimed the SA Rugby U21 title with a big victory over the Lions in Durban on Saturday, while the Bulls edged Western Province in Pretoria to win the U19 Cup.

Playing at home on Saturday, the Sharks showcased their attacking quality to win 63-31.

The Lions, who had knocked out defending champions Western Province in Cape Town, trailed just 28-24 at half time.

But the Sharks dominated after the break, piling on 35 points through five converted tries, while the Lions could only respond with a single score.

Three members of the Junior Boks squad from earlier this year – Jaco Williams (two), Matt Romao and Simphiwe Ngobese – were among the Sharks’ try-scorers, while Luan Giliomee slotted all nine conversions.

Junior Boks duo Haashim Pead and Gilermo Mentoe crossed for the Lions, with flyhalf Matthew Coetzee adding four conversions and a penalty.

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— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) October 17, 2025

On Friday, the Bulls were crowned U19 Cup champions after a hard-fought 20-14 win over WP at Loftus, reclaiming the title they lost to the Lions last season.

The hosts led 12-7 at the break and outscored their Cape rivals by three tries to two to complete an unbeaten campaign.

Lindsey Jansen opened the scoring early, with Aphiwe Shelembe also dotting down, and Aka Boqwana adding the extras for a 12-0 lead.

Aden De Costa struck late in the half for WP to narrow the gap.

Olunje Mehlomakulu then scored a long-range try early in the second half, converted by Rayaan Solomons, to hand WP a brief 14-12 lead. But Boqwana responded almost immediately with the Bulls’ third try before adding a penalty to seal the win.

SHARKS U21 63 (28) – Tries: Jaco Williams (2), Jean-Henri Smit (2), Andrew Davis, Matt Romao, Simphiwe Ngobese, Christoff Etzebeth, Nathi Ntuli. Conversions: Luan Giliomee (9).
LIONS U21 31 (24) – Tries: Michail Damon, Asemahle Nongogo, Gilermo Mentoe, Haashim Pead. Conversions: Matthew Coetzee (4). Penalty goal: Coetzee.

BULLS U19 20 (12) – Tries: Aphiwe Shelembe, Aka Boqwana, Lindsey Jansen. Conversion: Boqwana. Penalty goal: Boqwana.
WESTERN PROVINCE U19 14 (7) – Tries: Olunje Mehlomakulu, Aden De Costa. Conversions: Rayaan Solomons (2).

Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images