The DHL Stormers Bolts went down 38-18 in their SA Rugby U20 Cup Semi-Final against Fidelity ADT Lions U20 in Johannesburg on Friday.
Played in sweltering conditions at UJ Stadium, the knock-out match saw both teams give absolutely everything in a bid to make the final next week.
The DHL Stormers Bolts made a fast start as No.8 Quintin Potgieter picked the ball up at the base of a ruck and sprinted in for the opening try.
The home side responded with a try of their own in the corner which went unconverted and the DHL Stormers Bolts made it 10-5 shortly afterwards as Jayden Brits was on target with a penalty.
The Joburg team scored a maul try to take the lead for the first time and they extended it with another try from sustained pressure in the 22.
The visitors kept pressing and it was Brits who finished after an impressive attacking sequence to bring it back to 19-15 at half-time.
The Fidelity ADT Lions U20 struck first in the second half with a maul try and another penalty from Brits made it 24-18.
The hosts added another try and then hung on under severe pressure in the final stages before adding one last try to secure their place in the final.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers Bolts:
Tries: Potgieter, Brits
Con: Brits
Pens: Brits 2
DHL Stormers Bolts: 15 Meyer Prinsloo, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Randall-John Davids, 11 Luca Potgieter, 10 Dawid Badenhorst, 9 Jayden Brits, 8 Quintin Potgieter, 7 Aden da Costa (captain), 6 Gert Kemp, 5 Dominic Sesink-Clee, 4 Alexander Smith, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Altus Rabe, 1 Jordan Jooste.
Replacements: 16 Xabiso Mkiva, 17 Bulela Mbala, 18 Zak Hickman, 19 Zander van Zyl, 20 Wihan Kotze, 21 Tyrone Gombe, 22 Kobus Blanckenberg, 23 Olunje Mehlomakulu.
