Four tries by wing Giscard Pieters helped the Free State Cheetahs to a 52-19 win over the hapless Pumas in a compulsory friendly rugby match played at Nelspruit on Saturday.
After leading only 19-7 at half-time, the Cheetahs opened the flood gates in the second with Pieters the obvious hero of the day, running strongly for his four tries.
All three Currie Cup teams fielded second-string sides and yet managed runaway wins in all three games at the weekend.
The Pumas tried their best and their defence held out against the hard-running Cheetahs for about 50 minutes, but then they ran out of steam and tries followed.
Showing he is ready to take his place in the Currie Cup side was Cheetahs captain on the day Hendro Scholts, who waded in with two tries. A fit Scholtz is worth his weight in gold and he proved that against the Pumas.
Pieters must also have staked a claim for higher honours. At speed he is difficult to stop and his power runs will give most opposition a hard time.
While the Pumas tried their utmost, the young side was simply no match for the Free Staters. — Sapa