The Cheetahs won their Currie Cup encounter against the Sharks 30-22 after leading 20-8 at half-time in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Although winger Anton Pitout was named man of the match and Juan Smith did everything right to confirm that he is one of the best flankers in the country. Smith had some good help from eighthman Rassie Erasmus and Hendro Scholtz . However, Scholtz, almost cost his side the match after been yellow carded with less than 15 minutes to play.
The Cheetahs played some good running rugby in the first half along with some good tactical kicking. Lock Gerrie Britz and centre Jacques Claassens also had good games while Os du Randt’s scrumming was superb.
Things went horribly wrong for the Sharks in the lineouts, with the visitors losing six of their own throw ins. AJ Venter, Charl van Rensburg and Nico Breedt showed their worth for the visitors and Brent Russell at flyhalf again impressed.
The Cheetahs are now in second place on the log level with Western Province.
Points: Cheetahs 30 (tries: Juan Smith, Eddie Fredericks, Anton Pitout, Rassie Erasmus; conversions: Willem de Waal 2; Penalty: De Waal; drop: De Waal) Sharks 22 (tries: Adrian Jacobs, Brent Russell, Enrico Swartz; conversions: Conrad Barnard 2; Penalty: Brett Hennessey).
– Sapa