BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 09: Lesley Botha of the Toyota Cheetahs during the Carling Currie Cup match between Toyota Cheetahs and New Nation Pumas at Toyota Stadium on July 09, 2021 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images)

Cheetahs hang on for one-point win over brave Pumas

The Cheetahs held on to pull off a great escape and claim their first win of the season over a game Pumas outfit on Friday afternoon.

by James Richardson

09-07-2021 18:14

in Currie Cup

The Cheetahs held off a late charge from the Pumas to secure their first win of the Currie Cup season with a 17-16 victory in Bloemfontein.

Cheetahs 17-16 Pumas

Having already lost to Griquas, the Cheetahs needed an improved performance, however, despite coming away with the win the home side have reasons to be unhappy with their efforts.

The first half was a tight affair and the Cheetahs found themself a man short after Jeandre Rudolph was sent to the sin bin in the 11th minute of the match.

A pair of penalty goals from Eddie Fouche ensured the visitors went into the break holding a 6-3 lead with the Cheetahs points coming from the boot of Ruan Pienaar.

Pienaar the difference

Pienaar allowed the Cheetahs to take hold of the game in the second period when he scored the game’s first try, just as Pumas skipper Willie Engelbrecht was about to come back on after spending ten minutes in the bin.

Lesley Botha crossed for his first try of the Currie Cup season moments later and the hosts had a measure of control but appeared to go into their shells just a bit.

That was evident when the Pumas were awarded a penalty try after persistent infringing in the red zone from the Cheetahs.

With a little less than 15 minutes left on the clock the Cheetahs had to hold out and for ten of those minutes would be without Conraad van Vuuren, who was the second home player sin-binned.

The Pumas just couldn’t find the finishing touches to edge in front and the Cheetahs earned a hard-fought if somewhat fortuitous 17-16 win.

This result means that Western Province remain at the top of the Currie Cup standings.

TEAMS – CHEETAHS VS PUMAS

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Lesley Botha, 12 Siya Masuku, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 Jean Droste, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Aluluthu Tshakweni

Substitutes: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Mihali Mosi, 22 Zinedine Booysen, 23 Malcolm Jaer

Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Matt More, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Eduard Fouche, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Pieter van Vuuren, 4 Brandon Valentyn, 3 IG Prinsloo, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Ruan Kramer 18 Eduan Swart , 19 Kwanda Dimaza , 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Wayne van der Bank, 23 Sebastian de Klerk