It was a rampant start for the Cheetahs as they raced towards a 22-0 lead by half time after Marnus van der Merwe opened the scoreboard with his 13th minute try followed by a conversion from Ruan Pienaar. Further tries from flanker Gideon van der Merwe and 8th man Jeandre Rudolph along with Pienaar’s conversions and a penalty goal took the team to the 22 mark. 

Pienaar delivered an impressive performance in the opening game by kicking 17 of the team’s overall 42 points. Springbok, Frans Syten also made an impression as the Cheetahs soared to victory.

Former Cheetah, Rosko Specman, made his debut for the Griquas on Friday and definitely made a statement as he was sent to the bench with a yellow-card in the 35th minute. Not long before, the Cheetahs were also a man down when Rynier Bernado was sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul. 

The second half saw the Griquas come back fighting but unfortunately their efforts were counter attacked by the Cheetahs equal determination for a successful finish. 

Friedle Olivier scored a try five minutes into the second half giving the Cheetahs the bonus point advantage but was then also benched with a yellow card after a tip-tackle. In the same minute, the Griquas used the advantage to dot behind the line with replacement hooker, Gustav du Rand’s try followed by a conversion from Dobela putting the Griquas on the scoreboard for the first time in the game. 

The Griquas continued to fight back hard, extending their score to a further 14 with a try from Obi and another conversion from Dobela, this after Ruan Pienaar’s penalty goal took the Cheetahs to 32. 

Cheetahs winger, Daniel Kasende, took the winning team to the 39 mark while Pienaar’s 4th conversion of the game secured their 42 point finish. Final efforts from the Griquas showed du Rand secure his second try which saw the Griquas secure their 19 points, just shy of a bonus point finish. 

The games’ final minutes were not without action as Kasende’s 68th minute yellow card was followed up by a latter red after another misdemeanour. 

The Currie Cup action continues this week with the Cheetahs up against the Griffons at 14:00 on Sunday the 19th of March followed by the Griquas up against the Sharks at 16:00. 

Try Scorers:

Cheetahs:  Marnus van der Merwe, Gideon van der Merwe, Jeandre Rudolph, Friedle Olivier, Daniel Kasende

Conversions: Ruan Pienaar x4

Penalties: Ruan Pienaar x3

Griquas:

Tries: Gustav du Rand 2, Luther Obi

Conversions: Lubabalo Dobela

Kayla Barker/OFM Sport