06 Aug 2017

On-form BDF Cheetahs scored four tries to beat UB Rhinos 29-16 in a physical Super Rugby match played on August 5.

Cheetahs also maintained their lead at the top of the table.

Though action was mainly in the middle of the park in the opening minutes, Rhinos stunned the log leaders at the SSKB Stadium with a sixth minute penalty by back liner Tshoganetso Katse.

Cheetahs, however, responded swiftly with a well executed attacking move which resulted with Ketshedile Matengane scoring the first try of the match 10 minutes later, and Eddie Oosthuizen making a conversion.

Cheetahs then gained the upper hand and Oosthuizen extended the lead to 10-3 with a well struck penalty kick.

While the army team was dangerous on the offensive, they committed a lot of fouls when defending, and Katse punished one of those errors by scoring another penalty.

As the entertaining match swung from one end to another, Osi Kopano touched down the Rhinos’ only try of the match and Katse converted to give the university team a 13-10 half-time lead.

Cheetahs did not wait long to regain their lead as James Shamwaka finished off another beautiful move with a try five minutes into the second half, and Oosthuizen converted to put the army team 17-13 ahead.

Cheetahs were punished again for giving away a foul as Katse scored another penalty to reduce the deficit.

But Cheetahs caught the Rhinos’ defence napping soon afterwards and Lovemore Jameson finished off a fast move with a try to extend the lead to 22-16.

Matengana scored his second try of the match and Oosthuizen converted to seal a 29-16 victory.

The match finished with two Rhinos players in the sin bin as tempers flared in the second half.

It was the Cheetahs seventh win from nine matches in Super Rugby this season.

They have now amassed 35 points. Rhinos dropped to third position after the loss, which was their fourth in seven matches.

Cheetahs coach Seabe Gabatladiwe said his team played well because they were prepared to counter Rhinos moves.

About giving away many fouls, he said his players rushed things because of the pressure of losing their last match against Jaguars.

“Our moves were good, but we were not calm at times. We wanted to reach the tryline too fast and ended up committing mistakes,” he said. ENDS