The defending Currie Cup champions’s chances of defending their title were dealt a heavy blow when the Free State Cheetahs were beaten 23-5 by the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Cheetahs saved themselves blushes by getting some points on the board through a second-half try by Robert Ebersohn, but the grim reality of the loss meant that they dropped out of semifinal contention.
Saturday’s loss kept the Bulls in second place on the log but the Cheetahs slipped to fifth place.
The Bulls were first off the mark through two penalties by Morne Steyn before wing Bryan Habana scored the opening try in the 18th minute.
The Cheetahs were guilty of bad handlng errors and their position was further compounded when flyhalf Chris Rossouw missed a penalty in front of the poles in the 24th minute.
The Bulls stretched their lead in the 27th minute when centre Marius Delport intercepted a pass from Rossouw and raced across the field to score under the posts.
Steyn stretched the Bulls’ lead with a penalty on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors a 23-0 lead.
In the second half the Cheetahs put together some impressive phases but could not break the Bulls’ defensive lines.
The Cheetahs were given hope in the 46th minute when Robert Ebersohn dived on to the ball after Rossouw had kicked a well-timed cross kick.
However, that would be the last growl from the Cheetahs as every attack was quickly extinguished by the Bulls.
The Bulls, though, could not add to their 23 points in the first half and failed to earn a bonus point.
The Cheetahs slipped out of contention and will have to win their remaining matches and hope that either the Lions or Western Province lose theirs. – Sapa