The Toyota Cheetahs hosted the Toyota Invitational side in Bloemfontein in the Toyota Challenge. The Invitational XV took control of the match from the second quarter of the match to win 43-35.
The Toyota Invitational side was made up of players from the Vodacom Bulls, Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and the Emirates Lions. The team coached by Ricardo Laubscher, former Springbok assistant coach and Springbok scrum coach Daan Human.
The Cheetahs were the more organised team of the two early in the match. The Invitational team were only able to fit in two practice sessions before the game.
03:38 Brandon Thomson (10) scored the Cheetahs first try against a disorganised defence of the Invitational XV, (07-00).
08:48 Marnus vd Merwe (2) score the Invitational XV first points after a great driving maul, (07-05).
11:27 Jeandre Rudolph (8) followed up a kick from Andisa Ntsila which was deflected by an Invitational XV's player boot, to score the Cheetahs second try, (14-05).
The first 20 minutes the Invitational XV had to defend for most of the time, which they did with commitment and accuracy. Unfortunately, the lack of discipline by the Invitational XV allowed the Cheetah's attack to remain on the front foot.
23:44 Leolin Zas (14) followed up a kick forward by Richard Kriel to score the Invitational XV'2 2nd try of the match, (14-12)
25:47 Dries Swanepoel (12) is the Cheetahs' immediate answer. He scored a "simple" try, running a great line with speed and aggression to outsmart the defence, (21-12).
33:56 Inny Radebe (10) add three points for the Invitational XV after threatening the Cheetahs' scoreline for several minutes, (21-15).
40:51 Marnus vd Merwe (2) second try put the Invitational XV in the lead for the first time of the match, (21-22).
Half Time The Invitational XV were the dominant side for the last 20 minutes of the first half. The momentum definately with the Invitational XV as they end the first half in the lead.
41:42 Jamba Ulengo (14) opened the scoring of the second half for the Invitational XV. The Invitational XV started the half dominating the Cheetahs, (21-29).
51:45 A crumbling defence of the Cheetahs allowed Shayne Bolton to force his way over the tryline for the Invitational XV after a great 20 meter plus run, (21-36).
60:00 With 20 minutes to go it is the Invitational XV that is playing all of the rugby. Several mistakes by the Cheetahs in the attack cost them valuable scoring opportunities.
64:47 A Red card to Coenraad v Vuuren (18) saw a try by the Cheetahs disallowed and the Cheetahs reduced to 14 men.
66:29 Louis vd Westhuizen (16) rounded off a driving maul by the Cheetahs, (28-36).
74:33 Richard Kriel (15) intercepted a Cheetahs pass and ran 46m to put the final nail in the coffin of the Cheetahs, (28-43).
79:58 Brandon Thompson scored a consolation try for the Cheetahs, (35-43).
A well-deserved win for the Invitational XV while the Cheetahs are left with more questions than answers with the start of the Currie Cup looming.
Scorers:
Cheetahs: Tries: Brandon Thomson (2), Jeandre Rudolph, Dries Swanepoel, Louis vd Westhuizen. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (3), Frans Steyn (2).
Invitational XV: Try: Marnus vd Merwe (2), Leolin Zas, Jamba Ulengo, Shayne Bolton, Richard Kriel. Conversion: Inny Radebe (5). Penalty: Inny Radebe
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Craig Barry, 13. Dries Swanepoel, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Brandon Thomson, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Jeandre Rudolph, 7. Oupa Mohoje, 6. Andisa Ntsila, 5. Rynier Bernardo, 4. Victor Sekekete, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Wilmar Arnoldi, 1. Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Schalk Ferreira, 18. Coenraad van Vuuren, 19. Jacques Potgieter, 20. Aidon Davis, 21. Tian Meyer, 22. Howard Mnisi, 23. Duncan Saal, 24. Chris Massyn, 25. Alulutho Tsakweni
Toyota Invitational Team: 15 Richard Kriel, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Shayne Bolton, 11 Leolin Zass, 10 Inny Radebe, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Johan du Toit (c), 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Jean Droste, 4 Reinier Viljoen, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 JP Duvenhage, 23 Tristin Leyds, 24 Jason Alexander, 25 Mihlali Mosi, 26 Cohen Jasper.