Six-try Cheetahs make it four on the spin

CHEETAHS pulled off a bonus point derby victory as Reinach Venter’s late try secured the hosts a fourth successive victory.

Kings roared back to within four points, but Franco Smith’s men had earlier rallied by scoring six tries to come out on top in Bloemfontein.

Masixole Banda’s penalty put the visitors ahead inside the first minute, but the Cheetahs hit back through captain Shaun Venter as he dummied his way to a third try in successive matches.

Cheetahs steadily grew in confidence and extended their advantage when flyhalf Tian Schoeman dodged his way to the line.

Things got worse for the Kings as Meli Rokoua’s was given a yellow card and with the man advantage Cheetahs immediately capitalised as the ball was worked wide for William Small-Smith to dive over.

Kings then had the man advantage after Joseph Dweba was sin-binned and from the resultant line-out a neatly worked move enabled Cyril Velleman to crash over. The Cheetahs were down to 13 men two minutes before the break with Small-Smith sinbinned, but theyheld out to secure a 19-10 half-time advantage.

Kings comeback continued six minutes after the restart as Rokoua inspired a breakaway before expertly threading in Yaw Penxe with the inside of his hand for the wing to power his way over the line and cut the lead to four points.

But Kings’ resistance was swiftly ended as a fullstrength Cheetahs secured their bonus point after a flowing move from right to left was finished off by fullback Malcolm Jaer against his former employers.

Victory was wrapped up as Pokomela darted his way over the line. And it was double punishment for Kings as Velleman made contact with Pokomela’s head and was shown a red card.

Hooker Venter added a crucial sixth try for the hosts as Tienie Burger, Alandre van Rooyen, Berton Klaassen crossed late for Kings to earn the double bonus points.