The Cheetahs’ defence of the Currie Cup trophy will continue after an emphatic 41–14 victory over the Pumas in Mbombela on Saturday afternoon.

Playing 80 minutes of early afternoon rugby in a hot and humid Mbombela Stadium was always a tough task. Still, both teams had everything to play for – the winner going through to face the Lions in the semi-final next Saturday.

The Cheetahs conceded two early penalties, both converted by Pumas point-maker Clinton Swart.  Shortly before the halfway mark in the first half, Gideon van der Merwe looked like he scored the visitors’ first try, but the TMO upheld a “no on-field decision” by the referee.  But winger Daniel Kasende went over the line barely a minute later, giving the Cheetahs their first points on the board.  Scrumhalf Jandre Nel scored under the posts 8 minutes later with Ethan Wentzel converting both tries.

Poor discipline continued for the Cheetahs in the first half and Swart was able to add three more points for the Pumas to bring the score to 14–9 at half-time.

The Pumas scored first in the second half with Ntsika Fisanti leveling the scores and Swart failing to convert the try.  But the Cheetahs found another gear and the last half-hour of the match belonged to the men from Bloemfontein.  

Winger Munier Hartzenberg went over the Cheetahs’ first try of the second half, with Kasende scoring his second with 20 minutes to go.  Loose forward Aidon Davis crossed the chalk in the final five minutes with Gideon van der Merwe scoring a well-deserved try in the final minute of the game.

The Cheetahs will face the Lions next weekend in Johannesburg in a semi-final match, and the Bulls will host the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld. 

Scorers:

Pumas: Try - Ntsika Fisanti Pen. – Clinton Swart 3

Cheetahs: Tries – Daniel Kasende 2, Jandré Nel, Munier Hartzenberg, Aidon Davis, Gideon van der Merwe Conv. – Ethan Wentzel 3, George Lourens Pen. – Lourens

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg