The EP Elephants secured their spot in the SA Rugby U21 Shield grand final by defeating the Boland Kavaliers 34-31 in a hard-fought semifinal match in Worcester. The team built a commanding 24-5 halftime lead through early set-piece dominance and withstood a strong second-half Boland rally. This win sets up a grand final clash against Griquas, who edged the Griffons 32-29 in the other semifinal in Welkom.
The EP Elephants' victory was fueled by tries from Dewald Gerber, Damian le Roux, Angelo Adams, and Christian van der Merwe, with Lyle Meintjies contributing crucial conversions and penalties. According to EP coach Shaun "Trok" Oliver, the team's solid start and set-piece dominance were key to their success. The team led 24-5 at halftime and managed to stay focused in the second half, despite playing against the wind.
The grand final between the EP Elephants and Griquas will be hosted in Gqeberha, likely at the Madibaz Stadium. This will be a significant match for the EP Elephants, who are looking to build on their strong performance this season. The team's win over the Kavaliers was a major upset, as Boland had finished ahead of EP on points difference after the final round of league matches two weeks ago.
In the other semifinal, Griquas secured their place in the final with a thrilling 32-29 win over the Griffons in Welkom. This sets up an exciting grand final clash between the EP Elephants and Griquas. The EP Elephants have had a strong season so far, with notable wins over the SWD Eagles and Border Bulldogs.
The EP Elephants' coach, Shaun Oliver, expressed his delight with the team's performance, saying that they had reaped the benefits of making a solid start and executing their plan for the semifinal. He also acknowledged that the team still has a long way to go, with their focus now shifting to the final against Griquas.
The SA Rugby U21 Shield competition features nine provincial teams divided into two sections. The south section comprises Boland, Border, Eastern Province, and SWD, while the north section features the Pumas, Harmony Griffons, Griquas, Valke, and Limpopo. The EP Elephants will be looking to build on their strong performance this season and secure the Shield title.
The EP Elephants have shown remarkable resilience and determination throughout the competition, with notable wins over the Kavaliers and SWD Eagles. With their spot in the grand final secured, the team will be looking to make a strong impression against Griquas and secure the Shield title.
Key points
- The EP Elephants secured their spot in the SA Rugby U21 Shield grand final by defeating the Boland Kavaliers 34-31.
- The team's victory sets up a grand final clash against Griquas, who edged the Griffons 32-29 in the other semifinal.
- The grand final between the EP Elephants and Griquas will be hosted in Gqeberha, likely at the Madibaz Stadium.
