  We prove two conjectures regarding the representation growth of groups of
type $A_2$. The first, conjectured by Avni, Klopsch, Onn and Voll, regards the
uniformity of representation zeta functions over local complete discrete
valuation rings. The second is the Larsen--Lubotzky conjecture on the
representation growth of irreducible lattices in groups of type $A_2$ in
positive characteristic assuming Serre's conjecture on the congruence subgroup
problem.
