It was the Cheetahs’ first win in the world’s oldest and toughest domestic competition since beating the very same Bulls 36-24 on 6 October 2017.

The Cheetahs forwards were by far the better of the two packs on the night, and this allowed the backline a solid platform to launch from. Especially at scrum time, the Cheetahs dominated their opponents.

The scoring was opened in the 5th minute when the flyhalf, Tian Schoeman, slotted a penalty. Some four minutes later the flanker, Henco Venter, scored the Cheetahs first try of the season when he dotted down a break-away try.

The Bulls struck back a few minutes later when the former Cheetah and Springbok, Cornal Hendricks, dotted down in the corner.

A brace of tries by the centre, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, in the space of five minutes saw the Cheetahs race to a 22-5 lead.

A try by the Bulls captain, Ruan Schoeman, on the stroke of half saw the Free State hold a 22-12 lead at the break.

The Bulls dominated the opening exchanges in the second stanza, however, it was the Cheetahs fullback, Louis Fouché, who scored for the first time when the Free State skipper, Tian Meyer, broke away from the base of the scrum.

Another former Cheetah, Rosko Specman, struck back immediately with a trademark solo effort.

Tries by the replacements Jasper Wiese and Darren Adonis put the game out of reach for the hosts, despite consolation tries by Johan Grobbelaar and Beertjie van Vuuren. Van Vuuren himself played for the Free State when they beat the Bulls in the 2016 Currie Cup final.

Scorers:

Blue Bulls: Tries – Cornal Hendricks, Ruan Steenkamp, Rosko Specman, Johan Grobbelaar, Beertjie van Vuuren Conv. – Manie Libbok 1

Toyota Free State Cheetahs: Tries – Henco Venter, Benhard Janse van Rensburg 2, Louis Fouché, Jasper Wiese, Darren Adonis Conv. – Tian Schoeman 6 Pen. – Schoeman 1

@MorganPiek OFM Sport