Western Province showed they have no peers in the U20 women’s game when they outplayed Eastern Province 36-7 in the final of the 2026 U20 Women’s Week in Alberton on Friday, claiming the national title for a fourth consecutive time.
In the final, the Capetonians held a 12-0 lead at the break and although EP, who lost a player due to a red card in the first half, tried gamely, WP’s extra player and their class showed why they are the best team in the country.
The four-time champions started strongest and scored in the third minute of the match – played in blustery conditions – when the inside backs moved the ball to the right where wing Saadiqah Corbett found space to score.
WP were all over their Eastern Cape opponents in the opening minutes, but credit to EP who took the punches well. Their forwards were doing a lot of heavy lifting, while WP use their backline as main attacking weapon.
EP missed a huge opportunity when WP wing Davedine March was yellow carded – first they missed a penalty attempt and then kicked the ball dead when trying to force an attacking lineout, two errors that proved costly.
More misery was to follow when a head clash saw Shanice Scholtz red-carded. WP, sensing their advantage, pounced when scrumhalf Danica Pypers sniped and scored, and flyhalf Nuha Levy’s successful conversion pushed the lead to 12-0 at the break.
The second half was again close, but the Western Cape side finished stronger as they manipulated their extra attacker into space.
Prop Sesethu Dumke scored a gem of a try to open the second half try-scoring spree. Levy saw an opening and ran through a gap and after some crisp passing, the ball ended up in the hands of Dumke, who crashed over for the third try of the match.
Not to be done when it comes to spectacular tries, the EP struck back when Lukhanye Lolo ran 60m to score under the sticks. The ball was worked through the hands and the wing, once in possession, rounded her opponent and raced away from the desperate WP cover defence.
The game was opening up, and as expected with some of the finest age group backline players on the field, more spectacular tries followed. The next came from March, who scored after a fine intervention by fullback Emma Bester, but not before a telling run by prop Anothando Khatshwa.
Levy converted and with 12 minutes left, WP were 24-7 up and EP staring down the barrel. The women from Gqeberha responded though and looked set to score in the corner, but a great cover tackle by centre Ronecia Gordon saved the day for her team.
Instead, WP worked their way up the field and lock Mivuyo Pawuli finished another remarkable team try. Towards the end, Gordon was rewarded for her earlier defensive heroics as she scored try number six to seal the deal.
Scorers:
Western Province 36 (12), Eastern Province 7 (0)
WP – Tries: Sesethu Dumke, Danica Pypers, Saadiqah Corbett, Davedine March, Mivuyo Pawuli, Ronecia Gordon. Conversion: Nuha Levy (3).
EP – Try: Lukhanye Lolo. Conversion: Julene Haas.
