The Toyota Cheetahs hosted Tafel Lager Griquas in Bloemfontein for their Currie Cup 2022 openenr of the season. The host was in control for most of the match to cruise home for an easy and deserved 30-20 win.
The Cheetahs confidently built their dominance during the first half to lead with twenty points at the end of the first half. However, Griquas did show what they can do at the end of the first half when they camped in the red zone of the Cheetahs for a good ten minutes but unfortunately could not score a point.
Griquas initially made a comeback in the second half, however, the Cheetahs confidently controlled the match to cruise to an easy win with a bonus point. A try by the Griquas with three minutes to go made the score a bit more representative of the on-field action.
07:40 Zander du Plessis converted a penalty to open the scoring for Griquas. (00-03)
11:08 Ruan Pienaar converted a penalty to level the score. (03-03)
17:10 Ruan Pienaar converted his second penalty for the Cheetahs. (06-03)
20:00 Although the Toyota Cheetahs was in control of the match at this stage the aggressive defence by the Griquas kept the Cheetahs from scoring a trie. Both sides show early season "jitters" making a lot of unforced errors.
30:38 Marnus van der Merwe scored from the back of a 5m lineout-maul, the Cheetahs' first try of the match. (13-03)
35:38 Ruan Pienaar converted his third penalty for the Cheetahs. (16-03)
37:20 David Brits waltzed his way over for a try. Some great work from the Cheetahs in a movement that started in their half. (23-03)
40:00 The Cheetahs confidently built their dominance during the half to lead with twenty points at the end of the first half. The Griquas did show what they can do at the end of the first half when they camped in the red zone of the Cheetahs for a good ten minutes but unfortunately could not score a point.
42:10 The Griquas captain Ruan Steenkamp scored the Griquas first try of the match from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (23-10)
53:21 Zander du Plessis converted a penalty for the Griquas. (23-13)
55:59 The third try for the Cheetahs scored by Louis van der Westhuizen from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (30-13)
60:00 Griquas started the second half like a house on fire and initially scored ten unanswered points before the Cheetahs could restore their "dominance". The Cheetahs are still in control with 20 minutes left on the stadium clock.
77:12 Luther Obi score a try for the Griquas from a movement that started in their half. (30-20)
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Marnus van der Merwe, David Brits, Louis van der Westhuizen. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (3). Penalties: Ruan Pienaar (3)
Tafel Lager Griquas: Tries: Ruan Steenkamp, Luther Obi. Conversions: Zander du Plessis (2). Penalties: Zander du Plessis (2).
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Craig Barry, 13. David Brits, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Enver Brandt, 10. Chris Smit, 9. Ruan Pienaar (c), 8. Mihlali Mosi, 7. Aidon Davis, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete, 4. Rynier Bernardo, 3. Marne Coetzee, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Conraad van Vuuren, 19. Sergio Moreira, 20. Andisa Ntsila, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. Robert Ebersohn, 23. Malcolm Jaer.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15. Ashlon Davids, 14. Munier Hartzenburg, 13. Chris Hollis, 12. Rynard Jonker, 11. Luther Obi, 10. Zander du Plessis, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Ruan Steenkamp (c), 7. Siba Qoma, 6. Niel Otto, 5. Derik Pretorius, 4. Mzwanele Zito, 3. Janu Botha, 2. Alandre van Rooyen, 1. Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16. Janco Uys, 17. Kudzwai Dube, 18 Justin Forwood, 19. Johan Retief, 20. Michael Amiras, 21. Reagan Oranje, 22. Theo Boshoff, 23. Sango Xamlashe.