12 Sep 2016

BDF Cheetahs produced a thrilling first half performance to win the Super Rugby Cup final 23-15 against UB Rhinos at Wharic Park on Saturday (September 9).
Victory over the university team secured the army side, their first top division league title since 2013.
Full-back, Lempaletse Ngaka, pounced on a badly positioned Rhinos’ backline to give Cheetahs an early lead with a sixth-minute try while centre Lekgobo Bafana added extra two points with an accurate conversion.
The army men had proceeded to the final with an unbeaten Super Rugby record this year. They outclassed their opponents with strength and good movement in the first half.
Cheetahs’ incessant attacks pressured Rhinos into committing fouls and in the 17^th minute, Bafana struck home a penalty to increase their lead to 10-0.
However, Kaelo Mogotsi reduced the deficit with an accurate kick after Rhinos were awarded a penalty in the 21^st-minute, but Bafana restored his team’s 10 points lead six minutes later.
The soldiers increased their lead to 20-3 in the 30^th minute after right winger Keorapetse Lesotlho sprinted from the centre line to score an easy try, with Bafana adding extra points from a conversion.
Rhinos improved tremendously in the second half and were rewarded for their sustained pressure when Thato Maifala forced a try in the 68^th minute to reduce the deficit to 20-8. Bafana scored another penalty for Cheetahs, but Rhinos scored a last minute try and conversion to make their loss respectable.
Cheetahs’ coach, Seabe Gabatladiwe, said his team won because they dominated their opponents in scrums, line-outs and rucks.
“We knew that if we won the set pieces, we would end up winning the game. Our plan was to score points in the first half and sit back in the second half,” Gabatladiwe said.
Rhinos’ coach, Mooketsi Ramakele, said their plan to put Cheetahs under pressure in the scrum and line-outs was ineffective in the first half.
“We gave them space in the first half and they scored two tries. We corrected our mistakes in the second half and scored more points than they did. But by then they had already gained ground. All in all I was proud of my boys’ performance this season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Botho Ryders won the President Cup by beating BAC North 17-3. ENDS