The Vodacom Bulls U20 are the 2026 SA Rugby U20 Cup champions after edging the Fidelity ADT Lions 43-40 in a 13-try final at home in Pretoria on Saturday.
The Bulls built a 29-19 first-half lead and ultimately needed every point of it as the Lions mounted a sustained second-half comeback that fell just short.
Migael Turner opened the scoring inside the first few minutes, with Ruben Pienaar converting, before the Lions hit back through Mahle Sithole. The Bulls reasserted control through Riwan van Aswegen and captain Kebotile Maake — both Junior Springboks — with Pienaar's boot keeping the scoreboard ticking. Van Aswegen completed his brace before Lions flanker and fellow Junior Bok Luke Cannon crossed to keep the Lions in touch. A Pienaar drop goal and a Lian Terblanche try — the Lions lock having been introduced earlier as a replacement for the injured SA U20 lock JD Hattingh — cut the deficit to 10 at the break, with Rekkie Gerber converting.
Sithole's second try early in the second half narrowed the gap further, but Junior Bok scrumhalf Hendré Schoeman and Ethan van Dyk both crossed for converted Bulls tries to push the lead back out. The Lions refused to fold, with SA U20 lock Jaythen Orange and Marko Kok touching down in a late flurry, Junior Bok fullback Alzeadon Felix converting both to set up a tense finish. The Bulls, however, closed out the match to secure the title.
Vodacom Bulls U20 43 (29) — Tries: Turner, Van Aswegen (2), Maake, Schoeman, Van Dyk. Conversions: Pienaar (5). Drop goal: Pienaar.
Fidelity ADT Lions U20 40 (19) — Tries: Sithole (2), Cannon, Terblanche, Orange, Kok. Conversions: Gerber (3), Felix (2).