The Lions U20s outscored their DHL Western Province counterparts by three tries to two in their clash in Johannesburg to clinch an important 22-17 win. The youngsters from Gauteng made it three from three as they head the standings on 14 points from three games.

The Vodacom Bulls are second on the log with 12 points from three encounters, followed by DHL WP (nine from three), Toyota Free State (six from two), Leopards (five from three), Cell C Sharks (three from two) and Eastern Province, who had a bye this weekend and are yet to open their account after two matches.

The Vodacom Bulls U20 recorded a hard-fought 45-40 win over the Cell C Sharks in a high-scoring encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

This clash began at high intensity with both side showing their intent and hunger of wanting to claim the bragging rights in a clash that doubled up as a curtain-raiser to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship match between the Vodacom Bulls and Irish side, Munster.

The Vodacom Bulls U20s beat their Cell C Sharks counterparts in Pretoria in the third round of the SA Rugby U20 Cup.

The Vodacom Bulls U20s beat their Cell C Sharks counterparts in Pretoria in the third round of the SA Rugby U20 Cup.

The Cell C Sharks U20 outfit went down narrowly to their DHL WP counterparts in the opening round and were determined to make amends against the strong line-up from Pretoria, but it was the home team who led 19-13 after an weathering a strong start from the visitors.

The second half followed much the same pattern, with the team from Durban making a strong challenge before the Vodacom Bulls emptied their bench, with the replacement props Juann Else and Tielman Nieuwoudt dotting down for the home side to take the game away from the visitors.

Meanwhile, the Leopards travelled from North West down to the Free State capital for their encounter with the young Cheetahs at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, where they upset their hosts by 24-17.

The Free Staters led 10-0 at halftime but a great display in the second half saw the Leopards snatch the points after outscoring the hosts by three tries to one in this entertaining match.

Latest SA Rugby Under-20 Cup results:

Lions 22, DHL Western Province 17
Vodacom Bulls 45, Cell C Sharks 40
Toyota Free State 17, Leopards 24

Next fixtures:

Friday, 18 March
13h00: Cell C Sharks v Lions - KP2, Durban
15h00: Leopards v Eastern Province - Olen Park, Potchefstroon

Saturday, 19 March
13h00: DHL WP v Toyota Free State - City Park, Cape Town

Main photo credit: Frans Lombard / Lions Rugby Co