The Toyota Cheetahs hosted the Western Force from Australia on Saturday in Bloemfontein and had to overcome an early blitzkrieg by the visitors to win 27-12, earning their second cheque of R 250 000.
The Western Force opened up a 12-00 lead after just sixteen minutes of play, capitalising on a yellow card to the captain of the hosts. However, following Rudolph's return the Toyota Cheetahs clawed their way back into the game and led 14-12 going into the second half. The Toyota Cheetahs were the dominant side in the second half, and scored thirteen unanswered points to deservedly win 27-12.
The Western Force started the first half like a house on fire and forced the hosts to concede several penalties, resulting in captain Jeandre Rudolph receiving a yellow card after six minutes of play in the first half. Eventually, Sam Spink bulldozed his way over the tryline to score the Western Force's first try of the match to lead 05-00 after just eight minutes of play.
A rampant Western Force attacked from the following kick-off with Bayley Kuenzle going over under the sticks for their second try six minutes later.
Following the return of Toyota Cheetahs' captain they started to attack, Daniel Maartens scored in the corner for the hosts to reduce the Western Force's lead to 12-07.
Following ten minutes of action the Western Force had a try cancelled following foul play by Sam Spink, who was shown a yellow card for his efforts.
With time up on the clock in the first half, Marko Janse van Rensburg scored the Toyota Cheetahs' second try from the back of a lineout-maul to take a 14-12 lead going into the second half. In a double blow for the Western Force, Jackson Pugh was also shown a yellow card for a shoulder charge.
The Toyota Cheetahs started the second half, running and spreading the ball to all the corners of the pitch. Marcell Muller went over under the poles and scored the Toyota Cheetahs' third try after just two minutes of play in the second half.
The third quarter was an all-out action period, with the first points scored following the early Toyota Cheetahs try, a Ruan Pienaar converted penalty to increase the host's lead to 22-12 with twenty minutes still to play in the second half.
A try by Janus Venter from the back of a lineout-maul sealed a 27-12 win for the Toyota Cheetahs.
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Daniel Maartens, Marko Janse van Rensburg (2), .Janus Venter. Conversions: George Lourens (2). Penalty: Ruan Pienaar.
Western Force: Tries: Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle. Conversion: Max Burey.
Teams
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Raegan Oranje, 13 David Brits, 12 Abner van Reenen, 11 Marcell Muller, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandre Rudolph (c), 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Rynier Bernardo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16 Janus Venter, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Zito Victor Sekekete, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Friedle Olivier, 22 Ruan Pienaar, 23 Robert Ebersohn.
Western Force: 15 Harry Potter, 14 George Poolman, 13 Sam Spink, 12 Bayley Kuenzle, 11 Ronan Leahy, 10 Max Burey, 9 Henry Robertson, 8 Jeremy Williams, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Donny Freeman, 5 Lopeti Faifua, 4 Jackson Pugh, 3 Tiaan Tauakipulu, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Marley Pearce. Replacements: 16 Ford Hemi, 17 Angus Wagner, 18 Regi Churchward, 19 Fa’amanu Kalolo, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Gio Leituala.
