King Cheetahs Pro 14 caning

The Cheetahs and Kings for the second successive week were given an Irish beating in the Guinness Pro 14.

The Cheetahs, having won five from six Currie Cup matches leading into their 42-19 losing Pro 14 debut a week ago against Ulster in Belfast, were given another reminder of the strength of the Irish domestic game when Munster mauled them 51-18.

Munster Director of Rugby and head coach Rassie Erasmus, once a Cheetahs player and coach, masterminded a significant victory. Fortunately for South African rugby Erasmus will return to South Africa before the end of the year as the newly created National Director of Rugby, which includes the Springboks.

Munster, semi-finalists in the European Cup, league winners of the 2016 Pro 12 and beaten finalists, were brutal in burying the Cheetahs.

The Cheetahs defeats to Ulster and Munster and the equally emphatic Southern Kings 32-10 defeat to Irish province Connacht also served notice to the challenge waiting the Springboks in Dublin later this year.

Irish rugby is on a high and while the Springboks are on the up, the visit to Dublin will be the toughest of the year outside of next Saturday’s Test against the world champion All Blacks in Albany.

Scores

Munster

Tries: O’Donnell, Wootton (4), Farrell, Kleyn, Zebo

Conversions: Keatley (4)

Penalty: Keatley

Cheetahs

Try: Small-Smith, Venter

Conversion: Peltzer

Penalties: Peltzer (2)

Scores

Connacht 

Tries: Farrell, Masterson, Dillane, Leader

Conversions: Carty (3)

Penalties: Carty (2)

Kings

Tries: Klassen, Papuma