Jaguares easily outpace Cheetahs

RAMIRO Moyano and Juan Martin Hernandez inflicted most of the damage for the Argentine Jaguares as they defeated the Cheetahs 41-14 in a Super Rugby match on Saturday.

Winger Moyano scored three tries to contribute 15 points and Argentine rugby icon Hernandez kicked 14 points through four conversions and two penalties.

Lock Matias Alemanno also scored a try and the home team were awarded a penalty try in the final minute, which gave them a 5-2 try advantage and a bonus point.

Previously worth five points, the value of the penalty try in Super Rugby has been increased to seven points this season with the conversion abolished.

The convincing home victory lifted the Buenos Aires outfit to the top of the Africa 2 table, ahead of 2016 runners-up the Lions on points difference.

Both teams have 14 points after four rounds with the Sharks one point behind and the Southern Kings last on five points.

The Jaguares have won three of their four matches against South African opponents this season – a major improvement on last year when they struggled as debutants.

The Cheetahs flew to South America having won two of their three matches at home, but never looked like adding to their ninepoint total, which has them lying second in the Africa 1 standings.

They fell behind to a Moyano try in the corner after seven minutes and trailed by 17 points before centre Michael van der Spuy scored a try.

Behind 24-7 by half time, the Bloemfontein team scored their second try through replacement hooker Joseph Dweba on 73 minutes.

Flyhalf Niel Marais converted both tries and his second successful shot at goal reduced the deficit to 27-14 at the sun-drenched Estadio Jose Amalfitani.

But the South Africans failed to take advantage of Jaguares replacement back Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias being sin-binned and conceded two further tries.

The Jaguares enjoy home advantage again next weekend when the struggling Reds, of Australia, come to Buenos Aires. The Cheetahs host the Sharks. – AFP