The unbeaten Toyota Cheetahs travelled to Cape Town to face DHL Western Province in the first match of a tricky Carling Currie Cup second round. The Cheetahs only started to "play" in the second half with their efforts good enough to secure a 28-21 win and remained unbeaten.
The DHL Western Province were rewarded for their first half's dominance in the last five minutes of play when they scored ten points thanks to a converted try and penalty to lead 16-07 at the halftime break.
Another five-pointer by the hosts two minutes from the start of the second half seemingly gave them a match-winning lead as they scored twenty-one unanswered points. The Cheetahs' answer was quick and swift as they dominated the latter part of the match also scoring twenty-one unanswered points to lead with seven points and ten minutes left on the clock.
13:50 Alulutho Tshakweni scored the Cheetahs' first try after absorbing pressure from the hosts from the start of the match. (00-07)
17:28 Tim Swiel converted a penalty for the DHL Western Province. (03-07)
20:00 Western Province started like a house on fire and dominated for much of the first quarter, however, the Cheetahs used their one chance to open their account with a try to take an early lead of 07-03 after 20 minutes.
23:46 Alulutho Tshakweni (Cheetahs) was sent off with a yellow card.
24:31 Tim Swiel converted a second penalty for the hosts. (06-07)
35:24 Tristan Leyds cut the Cheetahs' defence and two and ran 30 meters to score an easy try. (13-07)
39:30 Tim Swiel converted his third penalty. (16-07)
40:00 The DHL Western Province were rewarded for their first half's dominance in the last five minutes of play when they scored ten points thanks to a converted try and penalty.
42:28 A perfect cross-kick from Tristan Leyds led to Angelo Davids scoring the home team's second try. (21-07)
47:21 Louis vd Westhuizen scored the Cheetahs' second try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (21-14)
51:30 David Brits scored the Cheetahs' third try after slicing through the defence of the hosts. (21-21)
60:00 The Cheetahs scored two quick tries in the third quarter to set up an exciting last 20 minutes.
70:26 Louis vd Westhuizen scored his second try of the match from the back f a 5m lineout-maul. This was also the bonus-point try for the visitors. (21-28)
Scorers:
DHL Western Province: Tries: Tristan Leyds, Angelo Davids. Conversion: Tim Swiel. Penalties: Tim Swiel (3)
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Alulutho Tshakweni, Louis vd Westhuizen (2), David Brits. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (4).
Teams:
DHL Western Province: 15. Tristan Leyds, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Cornel Smit, 11. Angelo Davids, 10. Timothy Swiel, 9. Godlen Masimla, 8. Keke Morabe, 7. Marcel Theunissen, 6. Nama Xaba (captain), 5. Connor Evans, 4. Ben-Jason Dixon, 3. Sazi Sandi, 2. JJ Kotze, 1. Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16. Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17. Kwenzo Blose, 18. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19. Simon Miller, 20. Jarrod Taylor, 21. Bobby Alexander, 22. Kade Wolhuter, 23. Mnombo Zwelendaba.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Cohen Jasper, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. David Brits, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (c), 8. Jeandré Rudolph, 7. Andisa Ntsila, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete, 4. Aidon Davis, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Louis van der Westhuizen, 1. Alulutho Tshakweni. Relacements: 16. Marnus van der Merwe, 17. Cameron Dawson, 18. Marne Coetzee, 19. Ockie Barnard, 20. Mihlali Mosi, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. Brandon Thomson, 23. Robert Ebersohn.