The Cheetahs snapped their poor recent form to garner an incredible 38-20 victory over the fancied Brumbies in Bloemfontein on Saturday. The hosts led 14-0 at the break and never looked like losing the game.
The Cheetahs were spectacular and ran the ball at every opportunity, scoring five converted tries. They move ahead of the Brumbies as they get ready for a gruelling trip to Australia and New Zealand.
The Cheetahs wasted a great chance to go into the lead just after the 10-minute mark, but Willem de Waal sent an easy penalty kick wide after a good drive by the home team’s forwards.
The first half-hour was a dire affair with both teams guilty of a series of unforced errors and poor decision-making. Much of the game was spent in the area between the two quarters and, as such, not much effective play was able to flourish.
On the 30-minute mark De Waal had another opportunity to slot over another straight-forward penalty, but again he failed. The Cheetahs finally struck gold in the 35th minute when they spurned a kickable penalty and took one quickly metres from the line. Scrumhalf Falie Oelschig went over and De Waal snapped over the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
That lead was soon doubled as the Cheetahs broke their shackles to score a brilliant try after stealing a line-out on the halfway line. Bevin Fortuin, back from injury, broke and then sent winger Gavin Passens over for his first Super 14 try.
The Cheetahs went into the break 14-0 up and never looked like losing the match. The hosts then scored two more breathtaking tries through Richardt Strauss and Phillip Burger to seal the bonus point.
The Brumbies hit back through a score by fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper, but when De Waal snaffled a big drop goal, the score soared to 31-8, effectively ending the match as a contest.
The Brumbies were not going down without a fight and scored an unconverted try through lock Mark Chisolm, but the match was well and truly sealed with seven minutes on the clock when Juan Smith scored and De Waal converted yet another from the corner.
The Brumbies scored a consolation try through replacement scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs, but it was a little too late. — Sapa