The Cell C Sharks took on the Toyota Cheetahs in a match that both sides hoped to win. The Sharks managed to win with 38-31 after being reduced to 13 men after receiving two yellow cards during the last 10 minutes.
The Sharks seemed to be well on their way to a win with 10 minutes to go in the match and with a lead of 38-26. However, 2 yellow cards almost cost them the game as they managed to hold a desperate Cheetahs from scoring. A last-minute try ensured that the Cheetahs will go home with 2 bonus points for their efforts.
06:17 Evardi Boshoff go over for the Cheetahs first try after several Cheetah players handled the ball (00-07).
11:10 Thaakir Abrahams scored the Sharks first try with the move that started in their own half (05-07).
17:12 Brandon Thompson converted his 1st penalty for the Cheetahs (05-10).
20:00 Although the Cheetahs enjoyed territorial and possessional dominance the match still balanced on a knife's edge.
22:57 Brandon Thompson converted the Cheetahs' second penalty (05-13).
25:19 Kerron van Vuuren scored from the back of a 5m lineout maul (12-13).
29:21 Henco Venter scored the Sharks 3rd try as he walked across the scoreline of the Cheetahs from the back of a 5m scrum without a defender laying a hand on him (19-13).
38:33 Craig Barry finished off a great attack on the Sharks tryline and scored the Cheetahs 2nd try (19-18).
40:00 The difference on the scoreboard reflected 100% what was going on the field. The momentum with the Sharks during the last 20 minutes of the first half, with the Cheetahs that scored a try at the end of the first half to reduce the gap to one point.
43:02 Cameron Wright scored the Sharks bonus point try as the Cheetahs are reduced to 14 men after a red card to Jaques Potgieter (Cheetahs) (26-18).
46:55 Brandon Thompson converted his 3rd penalty as the Sharks ill-discipline is costing them, keeping the Cheetahs in contact on the scoreboard (26-21).
59:31 Kerron van Vuuren scored his seond try from the back of yet another 5m lineout maul (33-21).
60:00 The 14 man Cheetahs' defence were staring to disentigrate as the Sharks kept on applying pressure for the past 20 minutes.
63:00 Cameron Dawson was the Cheetahs' immediate reply to score the Cheetahs' 3rd try (33-26).
65:50 Thaakir Abrahams eventually scored his second try, after he missed several opportunities for the Sharks (38-26).
75:26 A yellow card to Emile van Heerden (Sharks) reducing the Sharks to 13 after Henco Venter received a yellow card a few minutes earlier.
78:41 Robert Ebersohn scored the Cheetahs 4th and bonus-point try. This try also secured a second bonus point for the Cheetahs for losing by 7 points or less.
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs: Try: Evardi Boshoff, Craig Barry, Cameron Dawson, Robert Ebersohn. Conversion: Brandon Thomson. Penalties: Brandon Thompson (3).
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Thaakir Abrahams (2), Kerron van Vuuren (2), Henco Venter, Cameron Wright. Conversions: Boeta Chamberlain (4).
Cell C Sharks: 15. Anthony Volmink, 14. Yaw Penxe, 13. Jeremy Ward, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 9. Cameron Wright, 8. Henco Venter (c), 7. Thembelani Bholi, 6. Dylan Richardson, 5. Emile van Heerden, 4. Le Roux Roets, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Jeandre Labuschagne, 20. James Venter, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Lionel Cronje, 23. Koster.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Craig Barry, 13. Evardi Boshoff, 12. Chris Smit, 11. Malcolm Jaer, 10. Brandon Thomson, 9. Tian Meyer (C), 8. Mihlali Mosi, 7. Jacques Potgieter, 6. Andisa Ntsila, 5. Victor Sekete, 4. Reinier Viljoen , 3. Conraad van Vuuren, 2. Wilmar Arnoldi, 1. Schalk van der Merwe. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Rynier Bernardo, 20. Junior Pokomela, 21. Brandon de Kock, 22. Reinhardt Fortuin, 23. Robert Ebersohn.