Cheetahs’ champion night

The Cheetahs enjoyed their finest night of the year in winning a Currie Cup and Guinness Pro 14 match against very strong opposition.

The Cheetahs, who are playing in both competitions, have opted to play the core of their Super Rugby squad in those Pro 14 matches that overlap with the Currie Cup. The initial results were disastrous with the Cheetahs a fortnight ago conceding 50 points in the Currie Cup match against Western Province and the Pro14 away match against Ireland province Munster.

However, in Bloemfontein it proved a very different story. The second tier team playing in the Currie Cup stunned the Pumas 33-32 after trailing 15-12 at halftime.

And then in what would be viewed as a major upset the first choice Pro 14 match 23 produced a strong first half and a brave last 15 minutes to see off Leinster 38-19.

It was the Cheetahs first Currie Cup win in a three matches and the second successive home win for the Cheetahs in the Pro 14.

Currie Cup Scorers:

FS Cheetahs

Tries: Mkhabela, Africa, Venter, Petzer (2)

Conversions: Petzer (4)

Pumas

Tries: Herne, Pretorius, Engelbrecht, Van Staden

Conversions: Marais (3)

Penalties: Marais (2)

Pro 14 Scorers:

Cheetahs

Tries: William Small-Smith, Torsten Van Jaarsveld, Ox Nche, Luther Obi
Conversions: Ernst Stapelberg (3)
Penalties: Stapelberg (4)

Leinster

Tries: Barry Daly (3)
Conversions: Ross Byrne (2)