The Toyota Cheetahs kicked off their Currie Cup title defence with an emphatic victory over the Griffons on Saturday in Bloemfontein.

The Cheetahs scored no less than 12 tries as they thumped the visitors from Welkom 82-20 in a match where the champions hit the accelerator in the second half.

It was a nervy start to the game from the Cheetahs and they were really able to stamp their authority on the match in the first half and they led by 28-13 at the half time break.

In the second stanza it was one-way traffic as they scored 54 points.

A pleasing aspect for the Cheetahs was the performance of the young flyhalf, Ethan Wentzel, who was making his Currie Cup debut for the team. The Shimlas Varsity Cup hero scored a try for the Free State while he slotted seven conversions for a tally of 19 points in the game.

In addition, Gideon van der Merwe, Daniel Kasende and Jandré Nel each scored a brace of tries for the home side.

The bonus point win has shot the Cheetahs to the top of the log, albeit it’s only the first round, but they looked a lot better than in any of their matches during the SA Cup.

Next week Saturday the Cheetahs will host Western Province at the Toyota Stadium.

Cheetahs: Tries - Sbu Nkosi, Ethan Wentzel, Gideon van der Merwe 2, Penalty try, Litha Nkula, Jeandré Rudolph, Daniel Kasende 2, Jandré Nel, Neel Volschenk Conv. - Wentzel 7, George Lourens 3

Griffons: Tries - Penalty try, Gurshwin Wehr Conv. - Andrew Kota Pen. - Kota 2

Morgan Piek OFM Sport