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, claiming the national title for a fourth consecutive time at the Alberton Rugby Club in Alberton on Friday, 1 May 2026.
A total of 122 tries scored over the three match days had the Alberton Rugby Club crowd on their feet, and in the final, the Capetonians held a 12-0 lead at the break. Although Eastern Province tried gamely after losing a player due to a red card in the first half, Western Province’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.
Western Province were all over their Eastern Cape opponents in the opening minutes, but credit to Eastern Province who took the punches well. Their forwards were doing a lot of heavy lifting, while Western Province used their backline as their main attacking weapon.
Eastern Province missed a huge opportunity when Western Province 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.
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More misery was to follow when a head clash saw Shanice Scholtz red-carded. Western Province, 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, Eastern Province struck back when Lukhanye Lolo ran 60 metres 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 Western Province cover defence.
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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, Western Province were 24-7 up and Eastern Province 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, Western Province 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.
Final of the 2026 U20 Women’s Rugby Week, on Friday, 1 May, 2026
Western Province 36 (12) – 7 (0) Eastern Province
Scoring
Western Province tries: Sesethu Dumke, Danica Pypers, Saadiqah Corbett, Davedine March, Mivuyo Pawuli, Ronecia Gordon
Conversions: Nuha Levy (3)
Eastern Province try: Lukhanye Lolo
Conversion: Julene Haas
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: 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, claiming the national title for a fourth consecutive time at the Alberton Rugby Club in Alberton on Friday, 1 May 2026. Photo: Gallo Images / SA Rugby
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