With nothing to gain, the Toyota Cheetahs and Racing 92 played an open game with both teams squandering several try-scoring opportunities in a high-octane match. The Cheetahs led 21-14 at the halftime break; however, a last-gasp try by Racing 92 secured a 31-28 win for Racing over the Toyota Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs started like a house on fire, and Daniel Maartens intercepted and scored a fifty-meter try from the kick-off. Jaco van der Walt converted, extending the Cheetahs' lead to 07-00.
Thereafter, Racing patiently built their attack, and eventually it was Auguste Albuisson who crashed over. Following the conversion by Antoine Gibert, the score was level 07-07.
Following several penalties awarded against the Cheetahs, great interplay and handling by Racing led to Hacjivah Dayimani crashing over to claim a 14-07 lead for Racing.
After twenty-five minutes of play, the Cheetahs were awarded a penalty try to level the scores at 14-14.
The Chetahs launched a fifteen-man attack from the kick-off, and after spending an extended period in Racing’s red zone, Prince Nkabinde scored in the corner against a thirteen-man Racing. Jaco van der Walt converted to extend the Cheetahs’ lead to 21-14 with four minutes still to play in the first half.
Racing scored within two minutes of the start of the second half, spreading the ball wide off a five-meter lineout and Nolann Donguy going over in the corner for Racing’s third try. The Cheetahs led 21-19.
A fumble by Prince Nkabinde led to Racing taking a quick penalty off which Jonny Hill took a quick tap to score Racing’s fourth and bonuspoint try, to extend Racing’s lead to 24-21 after eleven minutes of play in the second half.
With ten minutes to play, Zander du Plessis crashed through several tackles to score the Cheetahs’ fourth and bonus point try. Jaco vd Walt converted to edge the Cheetahs back into a 28-24 lead.
With time running out, Racing launched a fifteen-man attack, and Gael Fickou eventually scored Racing’s fifth try to secure a deserved 31-28 win following the conversion by Antoine Gibert with time up.
Scorers:
Racing 92: Tries: Auguste Albuisson, Hacjivah Dayimani, Nolann Donguy, Jonny Hill, Gael Fickou. Conversions: Antoine Gibert (3).
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Daniel Maartens, Penalty try, Prince Nkabinde, Zander du Plessis. Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (3).
Teams:
Racing 92: 15 Sam James, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Vladi Ashvetia, 11 Nolann Donguy, 10 Antoine Gibert, 9 Kleo Labarbe, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Noa Zinzen, 6 Auguste Albuisson, 5 Romain Taofifenua (c), 4 Thomas Lainault, 3 Lehopoame Leota, 2 Elia Masi, 1 Edouard Jabea Njocke. Replacements: 16 Janick Tarrit, 17 Lino Julien, 18 Herman Coetzee, 19 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 20 Jonny Hill, 21 Matis Julien, 22 Antoine Latrasse, 23 Noham Valeu
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 De-an Ackermann, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Marco Janse van Vuren, 8 Gideon van der Merwe, 7 Sisonke Vumazonke, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Curtley Thomas, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen (c), 1 Dux Manyama. Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Arno van der Merwe, 21 Neels Volschenk, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Michael Annies.
