Cheetahs keep pressure on Munster

Rudolph Jacobs

They might have coughed up six yellow cards in their last three matches, but the Cheetahs can be credited for their clinical dismantling of the Kings in their 45-24 Pro14 derby victory in Bloemfontein at the weekend.

Outscoring their visitors by six tries to three, the Cheetahs were pushed hard in the opening 40 minutes and held a narrow 24-17 lead at the break.

They pulled away in the 46th minute, however, ironically after a yellow card to wing Craig Barry.

With Barry off the field, the Cheetahs scored quick tries by wing Mazakole Mapimpi and scrumhalf Shaun Venter, pushing the score up to 38-17 and basically ending the Kings’ challenge.

The Cheetahs closed the gap to just three points on second-placed Munster in Conference A after securing their eighth win in 13 games.

Flank Oupa Mohoje, who took over the Cheetahs captaincy after injuries to centre Francois Venter and Torsten van Jaarsveld, admitted the attention they placed on improved discipline was an ongoing process.

“We needed to focus on our standards – the detail and discipline, the small things and what we needed to do,” Mohoje said.

“Derbies are always more personal and we are focusing on us and what we need to do to get our execution right.”

Meanwhile, in George, the Stormers ran their own race against the clock by thrashing the Eagles 77-0, running in 11 converted tries in their Super Rugby warm-up clash.

Coach Robbie Fleck conducted multiple experiments during the game, with fullback SP Marais being trialled at outside centre next to Springbok midfielder Damian de Allende.

Despite a slight drizzle in the beginning stages of the fixture, Fleck would also have been pleased with the deadly goalkicking from all areas.

Flyhalf George Whitehead converted five tries, Marais knocked four over and replacement Joshua Stander added two more as they maintained a 100% record.