Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
A fully fit Ruan Pienaar steered the Toyota Cheetahs to a 39-38 win against the Cell C Sharks tonight in Bloemfontein. The Cheetahs claimed the second scalp of a "Pro14 Franchise" with a margin of one point in two weeks.
The Cheetahs absorbed the pressure from the Sharks during the last ten minutes of the match. Continued pressure by the Cheetahs resulted in the penalty that allowed Frans Steyn to secure the win with three minutes left on the clock.
The bench of the Sharks had a massive impact on the game. The bench almost saved the game for the Sharks for the second week in a row.
05:14 Grant Williams showed that the Sharks possess a lot of talent as he scored a brilliant try. (00-07)
09:18 Rosko Specman did all the hard work only to pass to his captain Ruan Pienaar to score the Cheetahs first try of the evening. Happy birthday, cappie. (07-07)
After 20 minutes of the game, both sides are intent on spreading the ball at every opportunity. It is an "electrifying" game with no substance, unfortunately.
23:15 Khutha Mchunu forces his way over the Sharks try-line. The Cheetahs into the lead for the first time in the match.
28:57 Chris Smith score the Cheetahs 3rd try after the Cheetahs stepped up the pressure on the Sharks. (21-07)
34:03 Malcolm Jaer scored the Cheetahs 4th try after some great interplay by the Cheetahs, (28-07)
37:27 JJ van der Mescht score the Sharks second try. The Sharks turned to their forwards to force their way after the kick-off. (28-12)
40:00 The Sharks changed their gameplan during the last 20 minutes of the first half. They have turned to their forwards to dominate the Cheetahs and control the game.
43:50 Thembelani Bholi score the Sharks first try of the second half. Again the Sharks forwards dominating the collision putting the Cheetahs defence under tremendous pressure
47:55 Rynier Bernardo scored the Cheetahs first try of the half. The Cheetahs coming to grips with the Sharks' forward onslaught. (33-17)
51:10 Werner Kok in for their Sharks 4th try. The Cheetahs defence being swarmed by several players of the Sharks with Kok the one who picked up the ball to score. (33-24)
61:14 Phepsi Buthelezi score the 5th try for the Sharks. The pressure on the defence of the Cheetahs is resulting in gaps opening up for the Sharks' attack. The ill-discipline of the Cheetahs allows the Sharks to control the territory in which they play. (33-31)
65:09 Frans Steyn convert a penalty for the Cheetahs to keep some pressure on the youthful Sharks, (36-31)
67:15 Manie Libbok's skill sees him putting Mpilo Gumede away for the Sharks 6th try that puts the Sharks back in the lead. (36-38)
79:08 A Frans Steyn converted penalty restored the Cheetahs lead. (39-38)
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Grant Williams, JJ vd Mescht, Thembelani Bholi, Werner Kok, Phepsi Buthelezi, Mpilo Gumede. Conversions: Jordan Chait (2), Manie Libbok (2).
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Ruan Pienaar, Khutha Mchunu, Chris Smit, Malcolm Jaer, Rynier Bernardo. Conversions: Frans Steyn (4). Penalty: Frans Steyn (2)
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Malcolm Jaer, 13. Chris Marais, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8. Aidon Davis, 7. George Cronje, 6. Andisa Ntsila, 5. Rynier Bernardo, 4. Carl Wegner, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 2. Wilmar Arnoldi, 1. Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16. Marnus van der Merwe, 17. Conraad van Vuuren, 18. Aranos Coetzee, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23. Duncan Saal.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Thaakir Abrahams, 13. Jeremy Ward (captain), 12. Murray Koster, 11. Anthony Volmink, 10. Jordan Chait, 9. Grant Williams, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 6. James Venter, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. JJ vd Mescht, 3.John-Hubert Meyer, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Ntuthuka Mchunu, 18. Michael Kumbirai, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Mpilo Gumede, 21. Jaden Hendrikse, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Werner Kok.