Cheetahs condemn Stormers to rock bottom
THE Cheetahs clawed their way off Super Rugby’s basement with a superb performance that relegated the error-ridden Stormers to bottom of the log.
It has been a dire season for both teams, but this match marked the high mark for the Cheetahs’ campaign. Conversely, it signalled the low point for the Stormers’ season, which might not yet have hit rock bottom. They look like a team in crisis.
The Cape side’s decline in 2014 has been spectacular and while they will point to injuries and a tough fixture list as reasons, the reality is that major rebuilding is needed if they hope to remain a force in local rugby.
The Cheetahs scored five tries and were better in every department, making the most of a lethargic Stormers display punctuated by mistakes and poor decision-making.
Influential flank Heinrich Brüssow and sparkling wing Willie le Roux were both in devastating form and their influence filtered through the rest of the squad.
Centres Ryno Benjamin and Johann Sadie were excellent and the Cheetahs loose trio bossed their more celebrated opponents. The Cheetahs scrum also manhandled the Cape unit.
When the Cheetahs play in the all-action, fast style that they produced, it’s hard to believe they were bottom going into the weekend.
They have the ability to cut holes through defences that no other South African side can come close to matching. Their problem this season has been accuracy and consistency.
But yesterday, instead of coughing up possession at crucial times, the passes stuck and excellent running lines and support play didn’t go to waste.
It helps that they have a player of the class of Le Roux. The Springbok would grace the All Blacks’ back three — and there is no higher compliment.
His brain is always in overdrive and he has the skills and vision to turn his thinking into reality.
Le Roux’s precise cross-field kick led to the Cheetahs’ first try as fullback Hennie Daniller collected and flopped over.
Minutes later Le Roux ghosted into the backline, causing panic in the Stormers’ defence before holding up a pass to Brüssow that did enough to put the flank into space where he fed Benjamin, who ran in unopposed.
Le Roux’s chip and collect started the move that he finished for the Cheetahs’ third try and gave the home side a cushion going into the break.
Although the Stormers were better after the break, briefly raising hopes of a comeback when wing Devon Williams scored his first Super Rugby try after Jean de Villiers had surged through a gap, the Cheetahs closed out the match clinically.
Brüssow’s sly knockdown of a Stormers pass that would have led to another try resulted in a try down the other end for Cheetahs wing Cornal Hendricks, and that killed the contest with 14 minutes to go.