The Free State Cheetahs moved clear at the top of the Absa Currie Cup standings when they outclassed Griquas 51-10 in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
After holding a narrow 14-7 (two tries to one) lead at halftime, the Cheetahs simply moved up a gear after the break and scored another five tries for their third success full-house of log points.
In three games they have now scored 187 points and conceded just 24, scored 25 tries and conceded just two.
If a player in the Cheetahs outfit can be singled out for igniting the rout, it must be fullback Phillip Burger. He produced an awesome display of running rugby and Griquas could not counter his sensational pace.
That pace was evident in the second half, resulting in what might be the try of the season. It came in the 55th minute when Burger, playing scrumhalf at a scrum, broke blind from 40m out. He used his pace to beat two tacklers before rounding Griquas fullback Zane Kirchner with ease.
Burger began the half with a 40m dropped goal, setting the tone for the rest of his afternoon in which he was a constant danger to the opponents.
Victory cemented the Cheetahs’ place at the top of the standings with a maximum of 15 points from three matches thanks to another haul of seven tries. The Cheetahs made most of the running in the early exchanges despite being frustrated by solid Griquas defence in the opening quarter, but they eventually broke the deadlock.
It came when forgotten Springbok centre Marius Joubert in the 24th minute held onto a long Willem de Waal pass coming at pace on the halfway line, and the centre cut through the defence before passing to number eight Jonathan Mokuena to score.
A few minutes later Joubert again threw a super pass for scrumhalf Falie Oelschig to run onto. He burst down the touchline before passing to Brussouw to score in the corner.
It looked as if all Griquas’ rock solid defensive efforts were unravelling, but they bounced back with a try two minutes later.
Kirchner collected an aimless kick and hoofed it up field. Burger and Oelschig watched the ball bounce between them only a few centimetres from the touchline, but bounced back into the field where Kirchner collected and raced 34 metres for a try.
The second half was one-way traffic as the Cheetahs upped the tempo, thanks largely to the efforts of Burger. Hooker Richardt Strauss scored a well-taken try in the 48th minute after Burger collected his own chip.
After Burger scored, Brussow added his second following a strong Free State drive before Tewis de Bruyn, on as a replacement for De Waal, scored in the corner in the 72nd minute.
Burger set up the final try for replacement Alwyn Hollenbach, breaking out from his own 22 before a accurate pass set the supporting runners on their way. – Sapa