The Currie Cup Premier Division reached the halfway stage this weekend and despite a great comeback effort by the Toyota Cheetahs they still lost 17-24 against the Cell C Sharks after trailing 00-17 at the halftime break.
The first ten minutes of the match was a ding-dong battle with both teams having chances to attack with. James Venter breaks straight through the defensive line of the Toyota Cheetahs and then offloads to his fellow loosie, Tinotenda Mavesere who goes over for a try. The Cell C Sharks lead 07-00 after 12 minutes of play.
The Toyota Cheetahs were guilty of conceding several penalties during the first 20 minutes of the match and Lionel Cronje converted the fifth penalty to extend the Cell C Sharks lead to 10-00.
The Toyota Cheetahs did look a lot better during the last 10 minutes of the match, however, after great work by the Cell C Sharks' James Venter the Cell C Sharks' Fez Mbatha scored from the back of a 5m lineout maul to extend the Cell C Sharks to 17-00 after 43 minutes of play in the first half.
Jeandré Rudolph was shown a yellow card just before the half time whistle, paying the price for the ill disciple of the Toyota Cheetahs during the first half.
The Toyota Cheetahs started the second a lot better and Sibabalo Qomo scored from the front of a 5m lineout maul to reduce the Cell C Sharks lead to 17-05 after just four minutes of play in the second half.
After a great kick by Ruan Pienaar, Gideon van der Merwe bulldozes his way over the tryline of the Cell C Sharks on the line and the Cheetahs are right back into this game trailing 12-17.
With 10 minutes to go in the second half Marco de Witt shows some brutal strength and speed to score a spectacular Cell C Sharks try, however a great reply by Cheetahs from the kickoff made it a 7 point match after Louis van der Westhuizen scored a team try for the home team.
Unfortunately for the home team the time ran out after a great second half fighback to lose 17-14.
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs: Try: Sibabalo Qomo, Gideon van der Merwe, Louis van der Westhuizen. Conversion: Ruan Pienaar.
Cell C Sharks: Try: Tinotenda Mavesere, Fez Mbatha,Marco de Witt. Conversion: Lionel Cronje (3). Penalty: Lionel Cronje.
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Sibabalo Qomo, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Arnanos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 David Brits, 23 Cohen Jasper.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Joshua Jonas, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Henco Venter, 7 James Venter (captain), 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Ockie Barnard, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Murray Koster, 23 Phikolomzi Sobahle.
