The Toyota Cheetahs hosted the Airlink Pumas in a must-win match for the visitors to stay in the race for a spot in the playoffs. A try by the host with three minutes to go reduced the Pumas' lead to just one point, which they managed to hang on for a 29-28 win to keep their playoff dreams alive.
The first half did not produce the excitement we all expected, however, the Pumas used their chances to score two great tries while the Cheetahs squandered two or three opportunities on the tryline of their visitors.
With ten minutes to go in the match, the Pumas were seemingly well on their way to securing the win, however, a converted try by the Cheetahs made it a one-point match with a missed penalty by captain Ruan Pienaar "costing" the host a win.
07:11 Devon Williams scored the Pumas first after picking up a loose pass from the visitors to score on the other side of the field.
16:12 Louis vd Westhuizen scored from the back of a lineout-maul to level the score. (07-07)
20:00 A very close game after twenty minutes as both sides determined to establish some sort of dominance.
32:40 Tinus de Beer corrected an overthrow by the Pumas and scored a great opportunistic try after he found the Cheetahs' defence napping. (07-14)
40:00 The first half did not produce the excitement we all expected, however, the Pumas used their chances to score two great tries while the Cheetahs squandered two or three opportunities on the tryline of their visitors.
40:39 Devon Williams scored his second try of the match for the Pumas when he collected a perfectly weighted grubber from Eddie Coetzee. (07-19)
45:00 Gideon van der Merwe scored from the back of a 5m line-out maul. (14-19)
50:49 Eduan Swart scored the Pumas' fourth and bonus-point try from the bak of a 5m lineout-maul. (14-26)
53:55 Phumzile Maqondwana (Pumas) was shown a yellow card.
54:34 Louis vd Westhuizen scored his second try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul for the Cheetahs. (21-26)
59:59 Eddie Fouche converted a penalty for the Pumas. (21-29)
60:00 Two tries in the last ten minutes of the third quarter gave the Pumas a lead that could see them secure a vital win against their hosts, however, this match is still balanced on a knife's edge with the bounce of the ball that could still determine the winner.
72:54 Daniel Kasende scored the Cheetahs' fourth and bonus-point try. (28-29)
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Louis vd Westhuizen (2), Gideon van der Merwe, Daniel Kasende. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (4).
Airlink Pumas: Tries: Devon Williams (2), Tinus de Beer, Eduan Swart. Conversions: Eddie Fouche (3). Penalties: Eddie Fouche.
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis vd Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Marnus van der Merwe, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Marne Coetzee, 19. Ockie Barnard, 20. Mihlali Mosi, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. David Brits, 23. Clayton Blommetjies.
Airlink Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Tapiwa Mafura, 13. Sebastian de Klerk, 12. Eddie Fouche, 11. Jade Stighling, 10. Tinus de Beer, 9. Chriswill September, 8. Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7. Phumzile Maqondwana, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Shane Kirkwood, 4. Deon Slabbert, 3. IG Prinsloo, 2. Eduan Swart, 1. Corne Fourie. Replacements: 16. Llewellyn Classen, 17. Dewald Maritz, 18. Simon Raw, 19. Kwanda Dimaza, 20. Andre Fouche, 21. Giovan Snyman, 22. Ali Mgijima, 23. Diego Apollis.