The Cheetahs had to dig deep right up until the final whistle in this intense Free State derby. While there are still plenty of areas to work on in the coming weeks, the side claimed an important bonus point and moved into the playoff spots on the log for the first time this season.

The five points will undoubtedly be seen as a positive against a tricky and tough Griffons outfit. However, the Cheetahs were once again their own worst enemies, with their defence in particular, allowing the Griffons to secure two bonus points and stay just ahead of them on the log.

Willem van den Hever. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Cheetahs started strongly, with Rewan Kruger crossing the whitewash early on. Winger Prince Nkabinde and flanker Andisa Ntsila also dotted down, giving the home side a 19–10 lead at the break.

The Griffons responded with a try from their fiery hooker, Willem van den Heever, while Qamani Kota added the conversion and captain Duan Pretorius slotted a penalty. They conceded numerous penalties in the first 40 minutes, which allowed the Cheetahs to stay in control.

In the second half, the Griffons fought back hard with much better discipline. Once they got a sniff of the game, they made life very difficult for the hosts.

Jandré Nel. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Griffons drew level at 31–31 after they were awarded a penalty try when Michael Annies was yellow-carded for deliberately slapping the ball down as the visitors threatened to score.

But the Cheetahs would have the final say, with flanker Daniel Maartens scoring a converted try late in the game to seal the win. Cheetahs head coach, Frans Steyn, told OFM Sport it's time to stop talking about improvements and start delivering.

“We’re happy with the win – we knew the Griffons would come here with their own ambitions, so we’re glad to come away with the result,” said Steyn, who was still clearly unhappy with the performance.

Cohen Jasper. Photo: Morgan  Piek

“We’ll address the problems, especially on defence, on Monday. We knew before the game what to expect from the referee – we had the same situation last week. It’s the nature of the competition. We need to be better than that, and we need to look at ourselves.

“I know Vic doesn’t want to be negative and all that, which is why I don’t want to say too much either. But I believe we’re better than this – and I can’t keep saying that week after week for the last two years.

“At some point, we need to show that we want to play. The first half was decent – if you break a team down, I can live with that – but again, we faded in the second half.”

The Cheetahs next face the SWD Eagles in another must-win clash this coming Saturday in Bloemfontein.

Scorers:

Cheetahs: Tries – Rewan Kruger, Prince Nkabinde, Andisa Ntsila, Michael Annies, Vernon Paulo, Daniel Maartens Conv. – Cohen Jasper (4)

Griffons: Tries – Willem van den Hever, Junior Banda, Kyle Cyster, Penalty Try Conv. - Qamani Kota, Duan Pretorius (2), Pen.– Pretorius

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg