Impressive Cheetahs run Sharks riot
The Free State Cheetahs opened the defence of their Currie Cup title in dominant fashion with a 47-12 thrashing of the Sharks in Bloemfontein last night.
The home side ran in six tries and were too hot on attack for the inexperienced Sharks outfit.
The Cheetahs fielded virtually their entire Super Rugby team that beat the Southern Kings 2120 last weekend and while the hosts initially battled to find their rhythm, they eventually got their game going.
The willing Sharks youngsters put in some big hits in defence, but soon enough the wizardry of Cheetahs wing Raymond Rhule and fullback Clayton Blommetjies created holes in a devastating counter-attack in the 13th minute. Springbok flank Uzair Cassiem showed his full array of skills as he dummied twice before putting the foot down to rumble over for the opening try.
The Sharks didn’t give up, though, and in the 21st minute, veteran captain Keegan Daniel broke up the middle, and fellow loose forward Jacques Vermeulen maintained the momentum to set up centre S’bura Sithole’s try.
The Cheetahs were wearing out the Sharks defence with their ball-in-hand approach and the game plan paid dividends soon enough.
Another attack from deep inside their own half around the 30th-minute mark saw Blommetjies putting on some dazzling footwork and the ball was carried on by scrumhalf Shaun Venter. His namesake and captain Francois Venter had enough strength to stretch over for his team’s second try.
It was a long way back for the Sharks at 17-7 behind and not even Cassiem’s yellow card for not rolling away before half-time couldn’t help the visitors get back into the game.
Cheetahs flyhalf Niel Marais banged over two penalties after the break, and with a 23-7 advantage, they were never going to relinquish their lead.
The final result was decided when reserve hooker Reinach Venter powered over from a 5m lineout maul just before the hour mark and Rhule also scored from a similar situation a few minutes later.
There was a consolation try for Sharks replacement Bandisa Ndlovu, but it was too little too late. – ANA