The Toyota Cheetahs had to settle for shared points in their EPCR Challenge Cup Round 1 game against Perpignan at the NCRA Stadium in Amsterdam on Sunday afternoon.

A last-minute penalty by Perpignan allowed the French Top 14 team to secure a 20-20 draw in the Netherlands, just a minute after the Bloemfontein-based team took the lead with a penalty of their own.

Perpignan will likely be far happier with the shared points, especially since they travelled without 17 injured players. While the Cheetahs dominated the set-piece throughout the game, it was in the crucial moments where the French team handled the pressure better.

The Perpignan flyhalf Antoine Aucagne opened the scoring early, catching the Cheetahs off guard. However, the South African team quickly regained momentum, dominating up front and breaking through Perpignan’s defence.

Their efforts were rewarded in the ninth minute when Jeandré Rudolph crossed the line following a clever blindside move.

Cheetahs, Perpignan split the spoils in Amsterdam

Antoine Aucagne’s last-gasp penalty ensured the points were shared between Perpignan and the Cheetahs in the first round EPCR Challenge Cup clash at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam on Sunday.

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Namibian international hooker Chucky van der Westhuizen extended the Cheetahs’ lead with a powerful try off a rolling maul. But Perpignan responded strongly, regaining the lead with a well-executed set-piece that sent winger Setareki Toganiyadrava through a gap for their second try.

Just before halftime, Perpignan struck again. A seemingly harmless cross-field kick by the Cheetahs went awry, catching their defence napping.

This allowed Perpignan centre Job Poulet to scoop up the bouncing ball and sprint through for a try.

‘Cheetahs produced a moment of brilliance’

The second half was less eventful, though the Cheetahs produced a moment of brilliance. Replacement flanker Daniel Maartens, in his first touch since returning from a long-term injury, sliced through the defence at a sharp angle to finish off a well-worked try that tied the game.

Moments later, it seemed Ethan Wentzel’s penalty had sealed victory for the Cheetahs.

Replacement flanker Daniel Maartens sliced through the defence to finish off a well-worked try that tied the game. Photo: Facebook

But Aucagne had the final say, stepping up to secure the draw for Perpignan with a clutch penalty kick.

Following the match, Cheetahs captain Victor Sekekete expressed frustration, believing his team’s dominance in the forwards should have secured a win.

“I think we expected much worse conditions, but we could have been more clinical and kept the ball more in the first half,” Sekekete told OFM Sport. “In the second half, we kept most of the ball and got results.

“The set-piece went well, but for us, it’s about managing key moments better and giving our backs quality front-foot ball.”

This week, the Cheetahs travel to Wales to face Cardiff Rugby on Saturday night. The game at Cardiff Arms Park kicks off at 22:00.

Scorers:

Toyota Cheetahs:

Tries – Jeandré Rudolph, Chucky van der Westhuizen, Daniel Maartens Conv. – Ethan Wentzel Pen. – Wentzel

Perpignan:

Tries – Antoine Aucagane, Setareki Toganiyadrava, Job Poulet Conv. – Aucagne Pen. – Aucagne

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh