Toyota Cheetahs hosted the Cell C Sharks in Bloemfontein this afternoon in the final match of the Toyota Challenge. The Cheetahs who were intent on showing that they deserve to play in the URC made use of all the opportunities coming their way to win 40-34.
The home team withstood the initial Sharks onslaught in the first ten minutes to end the half in control after scoring 20 unanswered points during the second quarter. The Cheetahs speed of play proved too much for the defence of the Cell C Sharks.
The second half belonged to the Sharks until a mistake by the Sharks in their own 22m, gave the Cheetahs a 10 point lead with 10 minutes to go. A rusty Cell Sharks side was not able to contain a free-running Cheetahs attack.
03:41 A great kick down the touchline by Ruan Pienaar was collected by Anthony Volmink. Pienaar supported Volmink and collected a pass to go over for the Sharks 1st try (00-05).
06:50 Boeta Chamberlain converted his 1st penalty for the Sharks (00-08).
19:36 Marnus Potgieter collected a grubber by Boeta Chamberlain, beating several defenders to score a great individual try (00-13).
20:00 The Sharks started like a house on fire and dominated for most of the 1st 10 minutes. However, the Cheetahs clawed their way back into the game and were on top in the scrums and lineouts at the end of the first quarter. The scoreline is definately not a reflection of the action on the field.
23:10 Siyabonga Masuku converted the 1st penalty for the Cheetahs (03-13).
25:46 Enver Brandt scored the Cheetahs 1st try of the match. The Cheetahs were willing to let the ball do the talking, running the Sharks defence off their feet (10-13).
34:30 Siyabonga Masuku converted his 2nd penalty, levelling the scores (13-13).
36:46 Enver Brandt scored his 2nd try of the match. The speed of the Cheetahs' backline proved to be too much for the Sharks defence (20-13).
40:00 The home team withstood the initial Sharks onslaught in the first ten minutes to end the half in control after scoring 20 unanswered points during the second quarter. The Cheetahs speed of play proved too much for the defence of the Cell C Sharks.
41:38 David Brits scored the Cheetahs 3rd try after several Cheetahs handled the ball on their way to the Sharks tryline (27-13).
52:25 Jacobus van Vuuren (Cheetahs) shown a yellow card.
54:06 Dian Bleuler scored the Sharks 3rd try. The Sharks set up camp in the Cheetahs' red zone, using their forwards to "attack" with Bleuler eventually going over (27-20).
60:40 Anthony Volmink ended a movement that started in the Sharks' own 22m. The Sharks dominated proceedings at this stage (27-27).
60:00 The Sharks dominated at this stage as they scored twice after a yellow card was given to the Cheetahs' prop.
65:24 Siyabonga Masuku converted his 3rd penalty to give the lead back to the home team (30-27).
69:53 An error by the Sharks allowed the Cheetahs to attack from inside their 22m. David Brits scored his 2nd try of the match to make it a 10 point game (37-27).
78:15 Siyabonga Masuku sealed the game for the Cheetahs with his 4th converted penalty (40-27).
80:52 A consolation try as Jeremy Ward collected a grubber by Boeta Chamberlain (40-34).
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Enver Brandt (2), David Brits (2). Conversions: Siyabonga Masuku (4). Penalties: Siyabonga Masuku (4).
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Ruaan Pienaar, Marnus Potgieter, Dian Bleuler, Anthony Volmink, Jeremy Ward. Conversion: Boeta Chamberlain (2). Penalty: Boeta Chamberlain.
Teams
Cheetahs: 15. Cohen Jasper, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. David Britz, 12. Robbert Ebersohn, 11. Enver Brandt, 10. Siyabonga Masuku, 9. Tian Meyer, 8. Aidon Davis (c), 7. Jeandré Labuschagne, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Rynier Bernardo, 4. Victor Sekekete, 3. Jacobus van Vuuren, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Allulutho Tshakweni. Replacements: 16. Wilmar Arnoldi, 17. Cameron Dawson, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Thembelani Bholi, 20. Teboho Mohoje/Lohan Potgieter, 21. Zinedine Booysen, 22. Brandon Thomson, 23. Evardi Boshoff.
Sharks: 15. Rynhardt Jonker, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Marnus Potgieter, 12. Ben Tapuai, 11. Anthony Volmink, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Henco Venter (c), 7. Olajuwon Noa, 6. James Venter, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Le Roux Roets, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Phepsi Buthelezi, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Jeremy Ward, 23. Aphelele Fassi.